Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-07

Va 6AStAiCAiy AVG "AAANAA Why
preach cannot be fostered by
denying to our citizens the
right Of free choice as to
whether they will send their
children to mixed or separate
schools. Only bitterness is
fostered by coercion. Force
and compulsion engender
hatred. not love. Moreover,
let me ask my friends of the
cloth where Christianity would
be today II the Israelites had
not vigorously preserved their
racial purity. and with it their
religion. Yet these ministers
who have expressed opposition
to the Gray Plan would have
us relinquish without a strug-
gle the safeguard Of social
separation which does most to
maintain the purity of both
white and Negro races.
Because consider untrue
and ridiculous the scare prop
uganda of those who claim
that the legaliZation of tuition
grants to individuals attend
ing private schools would de-
stroy our public school system.
Actually such grants have been
made for some years to hun
dreds of Negro students at
tending out-of- State schools,
to hundreds of our public
school teachers receiving pro-
fessional training in private
colleges and universities, and
to a great many handicapped
children attending privately
operated special institutions.
This program has been of ines
timable value to our State, and
the amendment of section 141
will make its continuation
possible.
And finally. because I have
faith in the judgment of our
Legislature, our State Board Of
Education. and of the many,
many county boards of super
visors and boards of educa-
ton throughout the State Of
Virginia which have voted
unanimously in favor Of the
constitutional convention.
James A. HOFFMAN.
1t has been said. "No ques-
ton is ever settled until 1t is
settled right" II the present
devastating controversy to be
voted on in Virginia on Janu-
airy 8 is to be settled for all
time. 1t should be decided in
the light that will come with
the conscientious consideration
Of these two questions: What
Is the will Of God. who is no
respecter Of persons: and what
would Jesus, the Saviour of all
mankind, do? 1t should not be
kept unsettled under the sway
of hot emotions engendered by
deeply ingrained beliefs in in
herited rights of socially SUI
perior position and intrenched
special privileges for the white
race. although the large per
cent Of colored citizenry is held
to an inferior position before
the law and to heavy disad-
vantages in the educational
and the economic field.
AS to the fear. mounting to
obsession in many, that non
segregated schools are IAN
invitation towards mixed mar
riages," leading to the ANAL
gamation of the races with
disastrous effect, would the
comparatively few marriages
that might take place between
the white and near white, as
race prejudice is worn down by
time. do as much harm to the
social order as the adulterous
amalgamation that has been
going on since the introduction
Of African slavery into this
country has done. with the
criminal disregard of the white
father for his hapless colored
children and the general social
blindness to the moral import
of such flouting of parental
responsibility? Have the thou
sands who have risen as the
white blood predominated and
passed the color line" yearly
had appreciable effect on the
dominant race?
With these suggestions for
needed heart searchings, I call
attention to the advice of the
wise Rabbi Gamaliel: Take
heed to yourselves what We in
tend to do as touching these
men for II this counsel or
work be of men; it will come
to nought; but II 1t be Of God,
We cannot overthrow it lest
haply We be found even to fight
against God"
Virginia Teacher.
"A Christian" asks whether
there is indignation in Heaven.
Yes, there is indignation in
Heaven. Segregation is not
necessary in Heaven. For in
the resurrection they neither
marry. nor are given in mar
rage" Matt. xxii,30)
r. z. JOhHson.