The Omaha guide., 1955-08-05
Editorials
Dr.. Charles S. Johnson Analyses
Desegregofion Challenge Faith Of South
By Lowell Nj. Trice

Nashville 1.-THE legal issues Of public school segregation have
been settled" said DR.. Charles s. Johnson, in the course of an address
q fortnight ago. "The question now is one of good faith by the in
ulWdual states in taking action to bring about complete Indignation
in the nations public school system"
The noted social scientist and president of Fisk University, is
sued his challenging note of realism during the closing summary
session of the twoweek American Missionary Associations RaceReIa-
hons Institute at Fisk University, in which more than 100 commun-
iy leaders from % states participated.
"Ths is no time for gHbness, defiance or hysterice." DR.. John
son said. Both the attendant fears and rejoicing of desegregation
should be transferred by soulsearching and prayers in the spirit Of
Him who came not to break the law but to fulfill the law of God.
I'VE must rely on law to get basic rights, but this job has al
ready been done The job Of impIementation is now among US
person to person-where inner law and senshiviy to human values
operate. The world will not let us delay action; our country won't
and our souls won't The very act Of doing this challenging Job is
going to make the South rise above SO much that has been small in
its experience, it will be a bigger and much more wonderful place"
Pleads For Mutual Tolerance
DR.. Johnson said that this is a time for the union of the best
craftsmanship Of the Southern Region and of the Nation in building
mutual tolerance and respect and an acceptable way of life compat-
ible with the principles reaffairmed and made final by the U. s.
Supreme Court
"whatever the method Of implementaion," he asserted, "the
stubborn fact is that the mandate stands, and there seems little
chance that it will be reversed.
can encouraging aspect and promise of the present situation is
that desegration has been demonstrated to be possible, without social
disruption in states of the South that had previously maintained rigid
patterns of segregation.
except for a few isolated cases, the prophets of open conflict and
violence, happily, have proven false. Not a single important incident
has arisen in any Of the Southern colleges which were compelled by
the Supreme Court to open their doors to Negroes"
Civil Rights Legislation Essential
DR.. Johnson expressed the belief that most Americans-"includ
ing the bidgots"-pay at least lip service to the principles of equality
as contained in the Declaration of Independence and the U. s. Con-
sttuhon, and will not resist the application of laws designed to nipple
ment these principles
"The enactment of civil rights legislation is essential in the pres
ent drive to make our country the worlds foremost democracy" DR..
Johnson continued. ut is necessary to have basic laws to protect in
dividualS against racial discrimination in employment. In all forms
of travel, In public places, in the protection of the right to vote, the
right to live wherever there is an available house and the right to
personal safety in all sections Of our country.
mo one can predict the end of racial segregation, or the time
when it will be meaningless" DR.. Johnson said in conclusion. "The
best that can be said is that it lies between two poles: one set by
the organization NAACP) and its attorneys that successfully evoked
this reaffairmatiOn of fundamental American principles with power
of enforcement. And the affirmative Americans who have N abiding
faith in the ultimate wisdom and morality of the average American,
North and South.
"a reasonable time is needed in the deep South for the stages
and ways of profound adjustment of the inner spirit of the people for
the outer and sincere fuhillment of the new law of the land. The
compulSve trends of world events and of our times in history supports
the Supreme Courts decision. There is no escape from these forces
if we are to remain in the current Of world civilization, not to speak of
leading the democratic forces of the world"