Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-07
Inteqrotion

AS I read Of the uprisings
and defiance of the supreme
law of our land, ! am shocked
that Americans are unwilling
to settle differences construc-
lively. 1t proves to me that,
more than ever. we must be on
guard to prevent a small group
of radicals, who are propo-
nents of a master race, and
special interests from destroy
ing the roots of the principles
of equal rights for all citizens.
We have been. since our Ma
ton was founded, the greatest
Nation in the world. We recog-
nize that we need to improve.
and we have been remiss in
not preparing for what ulti-
mately must be done. Now
that the decision has been
made, no one can continue to
pledge allegiance to our great
Nation and at the same time
fight for the preservation Of a
master race.
Common sense dictates that
to remain a true democracy.
the standards for the minimum
rights and privileges of all
citizens must remain under
central control. The Supreme
Court has upheld this doctrine
which belongs to the Federal
Government. In my opinion. If
this were changed our national
Constitution would be strapped
in favor of 48 separate conSti-
buttons.
What the Supreme Court
has decreed should have been
voluntarily accomplished over
these many years. 1t is not
possible to accomplish it over
night, but heat Of passion and
irresponsible deeds cannot pro-
duce constructive solutions.
In the State Of Virginia, an
even more significant develop
ment is taking place. The
question of segregation versus
indignation is subsidiary to the
survival of whole communities.
Through no fault or overt act
on their part, certain COM
munities face punitive meas
ures which will strip them Of
virtually every vested right if
they comply with the supreme
law Of the land. The proposed
actions in Richmond are a
complete about-face of the cry
for States rights. Arlington
County has already been the
victim Of reprisal, by stripping
it Of its franchise to elect the
school board, for attempting
to do what is legal and right.
1t is my prayerful hope that
the Virginia Legislature can
rally its good conscience and
whatever decision it must make
will be for the good Of all its
people rather than a few die
hards, and one to which it can
point with pride and righteous
ness. George b. Wood
In the past two years a great
deal has been said pro and
con on the school segregation
issue. Recent events in Ala
bama, Tennessee, Texas and
other States are symptomatic
Of q deep-seated unrest in the
South which has been ex-
pressed on numerous occasions
by violence and lawlessness.
In some instances these Incl
dents have been aided by ac-
quiescent and sympathetic
local officials and anti-inte-
grafton organizations. In other
instances deep-seated preju-
dices have thwarted attempted
desegregation and created a
climate of ill-will and mutual
hatred. In those communities
where desegregation has been
successfully accomplished there
existed a prior understanding
and q mutual willingness to
cooperate by the parties In
volved.
Today in the South and
border States, where numerous
communities are faced with
the problem Of compliance with
a Federal court order and a
hostile populace, there does
not appear to be a reasonable
climate Of good will which is
necessary before desegregation
can be put into practice. The
moderates who advocate q
policy Of go-slow are besieged
on both sides, on the one side
by the avid prosegregationists
who advocate circumvention
and delay. on the other side by
those who want immediate de-
segregation without planning
and consultation. As matters
stand at the present time the
moderates are hesitating, In
some cases retreating and leav-
ing a vacuum 10 be filled by the
warning extremists.
The segregation question II
complex and defies simple ex-
PLANTATION. The advocates Of
Hegrezation overlook or are I'M