This uanwarranted exerciss »f power by the Court, contrary to the
Ponstitution, is creating chzos and confusion in the States principally affected.
1t is destroying the amicable relations between the white and negro races that
have been created through 90 years of patient effort by the good people of both
races. It has planted hatred and suspicion where there has been heretofore
friendship and understanding.
Without regard to the consent of the governed, ocutzide agitators are
threatening immediate and revolutionary changes in our public school systems.
If done, this is certain to destroy the system of public education in some of
the States.
With the gravest concern for the explosive and dangerous condition
created by this decision and inflamed by outside meddlers:
We reaffirm our reliance on the Constitution as the fundamental law
of the land.
We decry the Supreme Court's encroachments on rights reserved io
the States and to the people, contrary to established law and to the Constitution..
We commend the motives of those States which have declared the in-
tention to resist forced integration by any lawful means.
We appeal to the States and people who are not directly affected by
these decisions to consider the constitutional principles involved against the
time when they too, on issues vital to them, may be the victims of judicial
encroachment.
Even though we constitute a minority in the present Congress, we have
full faith that a majority of the American people believe in the dual system of
government which has enabled us to achieve our greatness and will in time
demnand that the reserved rights of the States and of the people be made secure
against judicial usurpation.
We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal
of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use
of force in its implementation.
In this trying period, as we all seek to right this wrong, we appeal to
our people not to be provoked by the agitators and trouble-makers invading our
States and to scrupulously refrain from disorder and lawless acts.
Signed by:
Members of the United States Senate:
Walter F. George John L. McClellan QOlin D. Johnston
Richard B. Russell Allen J. Ellender Price Daniel
John Stennis Russell B. Long J, W. Fulbright
Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Lister Hill George A. Smathers
Strom Thurmond James O. Eastland Spessard L. Holland
Harry F. Byrd W. Kerr Scott
A. Willis Robertson John Sparkman
Members of the United States House of Representatives: