The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1957-09-14
EDITORIAL
"A Schoolgirl And
The Nations Law
Editorial reprint from PhIadeIphia Inqvirerl

Editorial reprint from PhadeIphia Inquirer
When frightened young Negro girl In Little MOCK
Arkansas found her way school barred by armed militia
men week. she became symbol of two great issues IN
the life of the Nation
One is the issue temporary we hope of ending racial
discrimination in the public schools question decided by
the Supreme Court in 1854
The other in the end important, is the issue OF
State VS. Federal authority involves the ancient conflict
between the desires and preudces OF some people in some
States and the law of the land
The young girl walking nervousy up to the National
Guardsmen ringing the high school in Little ROCK no DOUBT
felt alone
But on these great issues, she had company. She
had with her the Constitution OF the United States and its
Interpretation by the Supreme Court She had BESIDES the
warested and essential tradition that in matters where
the Constitution has granted power of the Federal Govern
men the law of the land laid down by the Federal Gov
eminent must be paramount
1t was in accordance with this great tradition that Fed
eral Judge Ronald N Davies sharply rejected the Little
Rock School Board petition that the first step toward lne
grafton of the schools in that city be indefinitely delayed
In the background of the petition the plan carefully
prepared by the school board to begin ntegraon IN iu
nation in the public schools be ended with "a deliberate
speed That plan had been approved by the Federal Court
had blocked by the action Governor Orva Faubus
in ordering the National Guard prevent Negro stu
dents from entering the prevousy-all white school.
Judge Davies, in MS sharp opinion summed up the stu
alton in words which ought be remembered by every
citizen and every State official
That and each of US, has the duty to conform to
the law of the land and the DEGREES of its duly constituted
tribunals too elementary to require elaboration he said
That progress toward ntegration already registered in
many Southern States would be reversed if Judge Davies
had backed down easily be In of the
South, there determination TO defy the Supreme Court
ruling by 'nterposing State authority, and that deerm
nation would have been strengthened by any sign of Federal
wavering.
The crisis in Little Rock not over yet Judge Davies
has issued his order if is dehed there will be the grave
problem of seeing that it is carried out
But fortunately there has been weakness on the CEN
trail issue The Federal Judge the scene has emphacay
reiterated his order that the law of the land be OBJ
served and indignation proceed President Eisenhower
ArEop
ton will be upheld by by every legal my com
mand"
The President is wisely refraning from any hasty action
that might make the situation worse only Little Rock
but elsewhere in the South He is we'll aware are most
Americans that indignation is emotional issue in the
South and that the rights of all be sfeguarded best by
avoiding open conflict If that is possible.
In the end however, all know by the events of the
past few days that the law of the land will prevail That
frightened lonely little girl in Little Rock has behind her
the great NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the law by a--that
cements Nation.