Evening star., 1956-08-27


The people of Virginia, and
their elected representatives, are
confronted with the gravest
problems since 1865. Beginning
with the decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States on
May II, 1854, there has been a
series Of events striking at the
very fundamentals of constitu-
tional government and creating
situations of the utmost concern
to all of our people in this Com
monwealth, and throughout the
south.
Because of the events I have
Just mentioned. l come before
you today for the purpose of
submitting recommendations to
continue our system of segre-
gated public schools.
At the very outset, I want to
make perfectly clear that I am
speaking to all the people of
Virginia. of all races. I also want
to be fully understood as to my
purpose. I do not seek to take
away anything from any Negro
or any white person, or to deny
him the equal opportunities to
which he is entitled. On the con-
trary, / seek to insure to both
white and Negro the enjoyment
of full educational opportunities
by the preservation of our public
school system. Both races have
much in which to take pride,
but their great heritage has
been attained not by commin-
Cling of the races but by the de-
velopment Of their many talents
among their own people.
Principle Is Stressed
We cannot compromise prin-
ciple for expediency. or sacrifice
rights for what may appear to
be temporary advantages.
We must take our position on
the basis of what is right and is
in keeping with the will of the
people-the source of all law and
all government predicated upon
the principles enunciated in our
constitution.
Since May. 1854, many impor-
tant steps have been taken to-
ward meeting the pyramiding
problems originating with the
unwarranted action of the Su-
preme Court. In August, 1854,
! appointed Commission on
Public Education, composed of
80 members of the General AS
sembly and charged with the
duty of studying the effects of
the court decision on Virginia
and methods of dealing with
them.
While this study was under
way. l met with the State Board
of Education in June, 1855, and,
after Joint review of conditions,
we agreed upon the policy that
the public schools should con-
tinue their operations in 1866
as Heretofore. The Commission
on Public Education made its re-
port on November IL, 1855, after
extensive study and investigation.
A special session of the General
Assembly was convened on No
vember 80, 1855, and authorized
a referendum on amending Sec
tion 14l of the State constitution,
as recommended by the COM
mission. On January 9, 1856, the
voters Of Virginia approved the
holding of a constitutional con-
vention to consider the proposed
change in Section l41, and the
regular session of the Assembly
then provided for the election of
delegates.
Amendment Is Approved
The convention was held
March 81, 1856; it approved and
proclaimed an amendment to
Section 141. authorizing use of
public funds for tuition grants to
students attending non-sectarian
private schools. In May of this
year, requested the Commission
on Public Education to renew its
studies in the light of develop
ments since its report of Novem-
ber. 1855. The commission rec
commended this special session of
the Assembly and has indorsed
the proposals which I submit to-
day for your consideration.
When I issued the call on
July % for this special session,
I stated that the implications of
the Supreme Court decision have
become more apparent to the
people of Virginia in recent
months and that I believed it
was the conclusion of the vast
majority of our citizens that
there should be no mixing of
the races in the public schools,
anywhere in Virginia. This is
supported by the many express
SionS which have reached me
from people from all parts of
Virginia. and / should like to
add, these expressions have not
been confined to members of the
white race.
/ do not know whether you in
the Assembly are hearing from
constituents throughout your dis
trictS as I am here in Richmond.
I have never experienced such a
widespread and almost unani-
nous expression, on any subject,
from citizens in all walks of life.
Their one plea. repeated to me
daily by letter, telegram and
telephone. is. do not permit
mixing Of the races in our
schools"
These entreaties come from
the fathers and mothers of
children who will be Immediately
affected by any change in our
system Of schools. from workers
in factories, farmers. bankers,
lawyers and businessmen. There
is no doubt they constitute a
true cross section Of our citizen
ship.
District Results Cited
We have witnessed events out
side Virginia which support our