Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-03

pared program will elevate Vir-
ginia education from its pres
ent position in the cellar to the
summit and at the same time
will effect a reduction in school
taxes. But. being a Simple
Simon. my one-track mind-or
what there is Of it-keeps
thinking: why not bow to the
inevitable and begin integrat-
ing, one grade a year, starting
with the first grade in 1856?
Might not the courts agree
that is deliberate Speed'?"
Like misery, deranged people
like company. 1t is comforting
to know that I am not the only
candidate for mental treat
ment in the community.
Among the company" / note
with satisfaction the names Of
Fairfax's two Delegates, one Of
Arlington's and one of Alex
andria's. II there are enough
of us paranoiacs at the polls on
January 9. the magnificent ef-
fort of our governmental lead
ers will have been in vain-ex-
cept for the more than $780,
900 the special session of the
legislature cost us.
Virginia Imbecile.
Here is my reply to Harley
M. Williams, president, Vir-
ginia Citizens Committee for
Better Schools:
Apparently Mr.. Williams has
learned what many Of us have
known for a long time-the
equal but separate theory is
lust half true-separate. When
he mentions Preserve our chill
dren," could he be referring
to white children only? Why
are the academic standards
of the integrated public schools
so low if the South has had
equal but separate schools in
the past? Likewise. why does
the Negro race have lower
health standards If their ad-
vantages have been equal all
these years. The arbitrary
statement about the lower
moral standards Of the Negro
race is a typical white supre-
macy generality. Was there
an infringement on the moral
law in Mississippi recently.
and was the Negro the indi-
vidual who ignored Gods Com
mandment, Thou shalt not
kill"?
Please permit me to doubt
that integrated public schools
will lead to increased racial
intermarriage and amalgama-
ton. 1t Is my opinion that inte-
grafton in the schools is the
logical first step toward a
mutual understanding and ap-
probation among races. How
can we expect to get along
with the various races in the
world when we nurture these
differences at home?
Public education does not
scare me as long as / am free
to choose between a tax-sup-
ported public school-integra-
ted or not-and a privately
supported school. Let us keep
the Iron Curtain out of this
domestic issue.
One more question: Is there
Indignation in Heaven?
A Christian.
Having lived in other States
as well as Virginia during my
adult life, ! dread the effect
of the proposed Gray plan up
on Virginia's schools.
At this time, when we are
being severely challenged by a
nation and way of life so
incompatible with our ideals
Of liberty and happiness, it is
unthinkable that we should do
anything to make it harder.
rather than easier, for able
youths to obtain an education.
Our heritage as country is
our youth. Regardless of color.
sex, or creed, If a child has
ability he should have access
to schools, and good ones. Pri-
vate schools will not provide
for the children of the poor,
nor adequately even for the
children of the wealthy.
Virginia has a long way to
go to bring her school systems
up to the ordinary standards
of schooling provided for in
other States of this country.
This is a poor time to scatter
her efforts by attempting to
substitute private schools.
Virginia's duty and oppor-
tunity is to build just as effici-
ent public school system as
is within their right to do SO,
regardless of how great others
objections to such school sys-
TENS may be, even on the basis
of other considerations than
race, such as religion.
Mark Taynton.