Document: 358 U.S. 1 78 S.Ct. 1401 3 L.Ed.2d 5 19 William G. COOPER et al., Members of the Board Directors Little Rock, Arkansas Independent School District, and Virgil T. Blossom, Superintendent Schools, Petitioners,v.John AARON al. No. August Special Term, 1958. Decided Sept. 29, Concurring Opinion Oct. 6, [Syllabus from Pages 1-3 intentionally left blank] Note: The per curiam opinion announced on September 12, 1958, printed in a footnote, post, p. 5, applies not only to this case but also 1, Misc., Aaron v. Cooper application for vacation order United States Court Appeals Eighth Circuit staying issuance its mandate, stay District Eastern Arkansas, such other orders as petitions may be entitled to, argued 28, Mr. Richard C. Butler, Ark., petitioners. Thurgood Marshall, New York City, respondents. J. Lee Rankin, Sol. Gen., Washington, D. C., amicus curiae by invitation Court. CHIEF JUSTICE, Justice BLACK, FRANKFURTER, DOUGLAS, BURTON, CLARK, HARLAN, BRENNAN, WHITTAKER. As reaches us it raises questions highest importance maintenance our federal system government. It necessarily involves claim Governor Legislature State that there is no duty state officials obey court resting Court's considered interpretation Constitution. Specifically actions upon premise they are bound holding Brown Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873. That was Fourteenth Amendment forbids use their governmental powers bar children racial grounds attending schools where participation through any arrangement, management, funds or property. We urged uphold suspension Rock Board's plan do away with segregated public until laws efforts upset nullify Education have been further challenged tested courts. reject these contentions. before 11, On following day we unanimously affirmed judgment Circuit, 257 F.2d 33, which had reversed 163 F.Supp. 13. granted petitioners, Superintendent, suspend two one-half years operation court-approved desegregation program. In might know, without doubt, regard opening school, set Monday, 15, immediately issued judgment, reserving expression supporting views later date.* This all members embodies those views. facts circumstances so far necessary show how legal presented. May 17, 1954, decided enforced segregation denial equal protection enjoined Amendment. 686. postponed, pending argument, formulation decree effectuate decision. rendered 31, 1955. 349 294, 75 753, 756. recognized good faith compliance principles declared some situations 'call elimination variety obstacles making transition school systems operated accordance constitutional forth decision.' at page 300, went state: 'Courts equity properly take into account interest systematic effective manner. But should go saying vitality cannot allowed yield simply because disagreement them. 'While giving weight private considerations, courts will require defendants make prompt reasonable start toward full ruling. Once has made, find additional time carry out ruling an burden rests establish consistent earliest practicable date. To end, consider problems related administration, arising physical condition plant, transportation system, personnel, revision districts attendance areas compact units achieve determining admission nonracial basis, local regulations solving foregoing problems.' pages 300-301, Under circumstances, Courts were directed 'a compliance,' action bring about end 'with deliberate speed.' Ibid. Of course, many locations, obedience would immediate general Negro children, otherwise qualified students appropriate classes, particular schools. hand, Court, after analysis relevant factors (which, excludes hostility desegregation), conclude justification existed requiring present nonsegregated children. however, scrutinize program authorities sure developed arrangements pointed completion desegregation, taken steps put operation. made plain delay guise deny rights could countenanced, start, diligently earnestly pursued, eliminate constitute compliance. thus devote every effort initiating bringing discrimination system. 20, three days first opinion, adopted, 23, public, statement policy 'Supreme Decision—Segregation Public Schools.' 'It responsibility comply Federal Constitutional Requirements intend when Supreme outlines method followed.' Thereafter undertook studies administrative confronting desegregated Rock. instructed Schools prepare approved 24, 1955, seven second opinion. provided senior high level (grades 10 12) stage. Desegregation junior elementary levels follow. contemplated commence fall 1957, expectation complete accomplished 1963. Following adoption plan, discussed large number citizen groups city. result discussions, reached conclusion majority residents' 'the belief * Plan, although objectionable principle,' point view schools, 'was still best interests pupils District.' Upon challenge group plaintiffs desiring more rapid process, upheld Cooper, 143 855. affirmed, 8 Cir., 243 361. Review sought here. While going forward preparation desegregating authorities, contrast, actively pursuing designed perpetuate held violated First came, November 1956, amendment Constitution flatly commanding General Assembly oppose 'in manner Un-constitutional decisions 1954 1955 Court,' Ark.Const.Amend. 44, and, initiative, pupil assignment law, Ark.Stats. §§ 80-1519 80-1524. Pursuant command, law relieving compulsory racially mixed § 80-1525, establishing Sovereignty Commission, 6-801 6-824, enacted February 1957. nevertheless continued preparations stage Nine scheduled 1957 Central High School, than thousand students. Various measures, assure smooth undertaken. 2, enter High, met drastic opposing part who dispatched National Guard placed 'off limits' colored found subsequent proceedings, Governor's requested entirely unheralded. findings these: 'Up [September 2], crowds gathered acts violence threats connection carrying occurred. Nevertheless, abundance caution, frequently conferred Mayor Chief Police taking police prevent possible disturbances 9 School. force adequately cope incidents arise school. Mayor, Police, request representative his assistance maintaining peace Neither nor official government consulted whether prepared need order, stationing School.' 156 220, 225. petition postponement proceeding states: 'The effect [of Governor] harden core opposition Plan cause persons theretofore reluctantly accepted believe power which, exerted, permit disobedience [District] date increased criticism [School] become bitter unrestrained.' caused 2 attend 'until dilemma solved.' next day, 3, petitioned instructions, court, hearing, military guards authorities. determined reason departing ordered proceed it. morning 4, attempted but, found, 'acting pursuant stood shoulder thereby forcibly prevented entering,' during weeks. same Attorney begin investigation fix interference orderly implementation direction Three later, 7, denied temporarily suspending continuance Attorney's investigation, he States, request, entered proceedings filed behalf curiae, enjoin officers attempts court's order. After hearings petition, obstructed troops, preliminary injunction enjoining preventing obstructing interfering plan. Faubus 254 797. then withdrawn under Department Police. removed difficulty controlling demonstrating crowd 16. 25, President troops effected. Regular army 27, They replaced federalized Guardsmen remained throughout balance year. Eight come now aspect presently us. seeking desegregation. Their position essence extreme hostility, stated engendered largely attitudes Legislature, sound educational attendance, impossible. therefore proposed already admitted sent postponed period suggested years. hearing relief Board. Among things past year attended conditions 'chaos, bedlam turmoil'; 'repeated less serious against property'; 'tension unrest among administrators, class-room teachers, pupils, latters' parents, inevitably adverse program'; threatened violence; 'serious financial burden' cast District; education suffered 'and existing continue suffer'; 'military equivalent'; department able 'to detail enough men afford protection'; situation 'intolerable.' F.Supp., 20-26. dated June respondents appealed judgment. At certiorari asking review awaiting disposition appeal Appeals, stay. declined do. 357 566, 1189, 1544. did act 18, convening special session 4 appeal, 33. 21, stayed mandate certiorari. Pending filing certiorari, respondents, applied Whittaker, withholding own nature motions, referred them entire Recognizing vital decision issues 1958-1959 year, see 567, 1190, convened Term heard oral argument respondents' Solicitor who, invitation, appeared asserted Appeals' clearly correct merits, vacate forthwith. Finding involved consideration merits litigation, deferred motions fixed 8, filed, petition. duly open 1398, arguments had, again urging correctness Appeals. mentioned, margin outset affirming reservation Board, counsel displayed conduct dealing unfortunate distressing sequence events outlined. likewise 1957-1958 progress students, white colored, suffer if prevailed last permitted continue. significance findings, light fact, indisputably revealed record us, depict directly traceable legislators executive capacities, reflect determination resist brought violent resistance Arkansas. itself describes language: legislative, executive, judicial departments opposed enacting laws, calling statements villifying courts, failing utilize enforcement agencies processes maintain peace.' One well sympathize face frustrating confronted it, regardless faith, responsible compel position. Had direct management itself, hardly charge assert excuse implementing vindication difficult impossible officials. here different posture officials; Amendment, stand litigation agents State. sacrificed yielded disorder followed Legislature. said 41 ago unanimous involving another segregation: promote race conflicts. Desirable is, important preservation peace, aim ordinances created protected Constitution.' Buchanan Warley, 245 60, 81, 38 16, 62 149. Thus preserved depriving rights. establishes growth difficulties magnitude beyond unaided control product action. Those difficulties, forthrightly conceded can plain. command 'State' shall person within jurisdiction laws. 'A way. provision, therefore, must mean agency State, whom Whoever, virtue government, denies takes violates inhibition; name clothed State's power, so, prohibition meaning.' Ex parte Virginia, 100 339, 347, 25 676. prohibitions extend denying laws; whatever action, Virginia Rives, 313, 667; Com. Pennsylvania City Trusts Philadelphia, 353 230, 77 806, 792; Shelley Kraemer, 334 68 836, 92 1161; taken, Derrington Plummer, 240 922; Conservation Development Tate, 231 615. short, discriminated color neither nullified openly officers, indirectly evasive schemes 'ingeniously ingenuously.' Smith Texas, 311 128, 132, 61 164, 166, 85 84. What said, developed, dispose case. However, answer recall basic propositions settled doctrine. Article VI makes 'supreme Law Land.' 1803, speaking referring fundamental paramount nation,' notable Marbury Madison, Cranch 137, 177, emphatically province say what is.' principle judiciary supreme exposition Constitution, ever since respected Country permanent indispensable feature follows enunciated land, Art. binding 'any Thing Laws Contrary notwithstanding.' Every legislator officer solemnly committed oath VI, ¶3 support Taney, 1859, requirement reflected framers' 'anxiety preserve [the Constitution] force, powers, guard evasion authority, *' Ableman Booth, 21 How. 506, 524, 16 169. No war violating undertaking Marshall spoke that: 'If legislatures several states may, will, annul judgments destroy acquired judgments, constitution becomes solemn mockery *.' Peters, 115, 136, 53. A asserts similarly restrained. If Hughes, 1932, 'it manifest fiat Governor, land; restrictions exercise impotent phrases Sterling Constantin, 287 378, 397-398, 53 190, 195, 375. quite true primarily concern equally responsibilities, like activity, exercised consistently requirements apply dedicated justice law. embodied emphasized ideal. funds, property squared Amendment's right student maintained indeed pervasive embraced concept due process Bolling Sharpe, 497, 693, 884. briefed twice given most consideration. Since new Justices one participated correctness, reaffirmed. them, according freedoms guaranteed charter Our ideal living truth. FRANKFURTER. unreservedly participating my brethren joint I deem deal individually great issue stake. By working together, sharing common effort, minds tempers, even reach agreement, acquire understanding tolerance differences. way detailed formulated satisfying 99 1083. embarked obtain acceptance' community's accommodation demands development habits acceptance Amend. 14, peacefully promisingly begun. impeded described fact controverted: '14. Up time, All disrupted introduction militia obstructive measures illegality interferences unaffected non-action Government seen fit take. Nor neutralized undoubted endeavoring discharge duty. event resort congenial spirit Nation. tragic disruptive tactic used sustain instrument thwarting disabling subordinate agencies, Accordingly, while formal party legally morally asked hold illegal, forcible commands, consequences entrained, undoing formulated, carried out, obedience. explanation offered obscure inescapable meaning bow force. enthrone lawlessness checked precursor anarchy. few occasions history Nation, North South, resisted systematically evaded, signalled breakdown ultimately rest liberties all. Violent loosening fabric society. acknowledge aegis moral superiority over Constitution? For authority defy land profoundly subversive presuppositions democratic 'must State.' language Holmes', comprised Van Devanter, McReynolds, Brandeis, Sutherland, Butler Stone. Wisconsin Illinois, 281 179, 197, 50 266, 267, 799. When defiance judicially pronounced, justified expressed especially relevant: historic phrase men' epitomizes distinguishing character political John Adams Massachusetts Declaration Rights, pt. art. 30, indulging rhetorical flourish. He expressing him, framed Independence founded Republic. rejection positive terms rule fiat, power. finally pronounced Even time. Being composed fallible men, err. errors reconsider decisions, done successfully history. Or, deemed decide changed legislation, often been, occasion, amendment. 'But experience deep reading history, Founders knew alone saves society being rent internecine strife ruled mere brute however disguised. 'Civilization subjection reason, law.' (Pound, Future (1937) 47 Yale L.J. 13.) conception dominated thoughts Nation belittlers interpreted men. apart body depositories disciplined training withdrawal usual temptations reasonably expected 'as free, impartial, independent lot humanity admit'. So strongly framers bent securing reign endowed office extraordinary safeguards prestige. one, matter exalted righteous motive, judge for.' Mine Workers, 330 258, 307-309, 67 677, 703, 91 884 (concurring opinion). abstain Land,' U.S.Const., ¶2, organ ascertaining does approval dissent. Criticism stilled. Active obstruction barred. kind endure derived tribunal specially charged declaring See Andrew Jackson's Message Congress January 1833, II Richardson, Messages Papers Presidents (1896 ed.), 610, 623. Particularly declaration Law' commands underlying dubious pronouncement gravely divided long-matured deliberative process. merely personal reduced interpreters. Local customs, hardened decreed heaven. Habits feelings engender counteracted moderated. Experience attests yield, gradually though be, education. And influences exerted explicit teaching. vigorously flow fruitful almost unconsciously transforming actualities ending unconstitutional exclusion system—'common' shared alike—solely doubt easy, overnight task alteration ways communities involved. Deep emotions have, stirred. calmed letting loose—violence employed encouraged observance strongest claim—nor submitting employed. Only constructive advanced civilization confirms. child diversity situations. hope endeavors adjustment furthered, frictions ameliorated, reversal interrupting goal? respecting graduated sanctioned lower retraced, perhaps greater deference resistance. retraced seemingly vindicated feeling block progress. Is concluding accede basis gave rise non-segregation beginning series delays calculated adamant precludes based state-supported schools? inflamed help form understanding, problem discriminating lesson drawn heartening cities populations proportions. Compliance Land, often, depended active presupposes support. withhold try paralyze Law, known cherished hundred seventy Lincoln's better angels nature' failed avert fratricidal war. compassionate wisdom Second Inaugurals bequeathed Union, cemented blood, heritage times stress strife, specific means surmount appear insurmountable. 1399: 'PER CURIAM. having fully deliberated supplemented presented briefs file, affirmed. imminent commencement announcement course. accordingly reversing 13, 855, enforcing 873; 1083, reinstated. effect. immediately, communicated forthwith Arkansas.'

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