The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-09-07

equal if not transcending Importance the
sovereignty of the Commonwealth of Vir-
Gina and perpetuation of constitutional
republic form of the United States govern
ment.
We need not go into the historical back
ground of this nation. because Virginia's
part in establishing the nation is we'll
known to most of you.
Suffice it to say that the Virginia
General Assembly on February /. 1856, set
forth in a document the fundamental
principles of our constitutional republic
and at the same time adopted state policy
interposing the sovereignty of Virginia in
a contest of power with the L. S. Supreme
Court in its desegregation decision. 1t is
presumed that the members of the General
Assembly knew what they were doing when
they passed this resolution and it is also
presumed that this august body whose
history antedates the constitution itself,
meant what it said
At least the people in the United States
thought so. In calling upon its sister states
to resolve this contest of power. five or
solutions and as legislatures convene more
states will act in support.
Some confusion has taken place in Vir-
gina. and evidently among some of the
legislators. Permit me to review quickly
the events of the past two wears. Following
the Supreme Court decision on May II.
1854 tho nOnulaco and ho IoaJarc ,yora
stunned. Lawyers almost to A man con-
demned the decision as illegal and contrary
to the constitution in spirit and in letter.
There was chaos and neither lay nor legal
minds reached conclusions. During the year
which lapsed before augmentation on
May 81. 1855, most people remained in
daze; leaders and lawyers floundered:
people became restless: but groups here
and there began to confer upon means of
saving the Republic, the Commonwealth
and the school system
In the fall of 1854. Governor Stanley
appointed a school study commission COM
posed of members of the General Assembly.
Its purpose was to find ways and means to
MAINTAIN segregated public schools. After
year and a half of study behind closed
doors the commission announced pro-
gram. based upon two broad principles
first, tuition grants and second. pupil as
slgnment on basis other than race. The re-
port was made in November 1855
The proposal of tuition grants required
a change in the constitutions In order to
effect that change. prompt action was
necessary. Thus referendum was held in
January to make it possible for the egis-
lature to consider and effect this portion
OF the program, The political. educational.
and patriotic forces of the state were placed
behind the referendum with the result that
It was carried three to-one
Let us remind you that the sole purpose
Of this referendum was to remove the pro-
hlbition in Section l4l of the Virginia
constitution against appropriating state
funds to school or institutions of learn
ing not owned or exclusively controlled by
the State or some subdivision thereof The
remainder of the School Study Commission
report was not under consideration and ucs
not rOted upon.
hose. who now contend that the
referendum an endorsement of the
Study Commissions program. seem to me
not TO nave known what they were doing
"heh theE worked for and advocated the
referendum
The referendum was behind ne an
Janary ID. General Assembly convened
on the 18th
On February l, the General Assembly
passed the lnterposition resolution pledging
our firm Intentions to take all appropriate
measures, honorably, legally and consti-
tutlonally available to us. to resist this
illegal encroachment upon our SOVEREIGN
powers"
Gentlemen. this was your resolution. Of
winch and thousands of Virginians an
proved and many more thousands of other
people in the nation annroyed This doe,