The Moderates’ Victory In Virginia, p.10
Dublin Core
Title
The Moderates’ Victory In Virginia, p.10
Description
"The outcome of the Virginia Democratic primaries may not be cause for a fourth of July jubilation, but it does indicate that not all the inhabitants of the Old Dominion are on the lunatic fringe.
Gov. Almond’s legislative retreat from massive resistance was at issue. The congenital Negro haters had waged a bitter campaign against those legislators who had backed the Governor in his promotion of the Perrow Plan which called for local option on school integration.
Well, the Almond followers have retained their seats with a sufficient margin to give the Governor control of the General Assembly. This was the most acrid contest that had been waged in Virginia since the close of the civil war.
Since 1865, the touchy Negro question had ceased to be a major political issue until desegregation revived it. The results of last week’s primaries are, therefore, of some consequence. If interpreted correctly, that means that the forces of moderation, at least for the moment, have an edge over those who would rather defy the Federal Courts than let Negro citizens enjoy their constitutional rights.
The people of Virginia had the choice between having their schools shut down and token integration. The more reasonable element accepted the latter alternative; not perhaps as a pious conversion to righteousness, but as bowing to the imperatives of inevitable events.
Governor Almond’s vindication at the polls should have the effect of an hypodermic to those moderates elsewhere in the South where school integration has not yet reached a critical boiling point."
Gov. Almond’s legislative retreat from massive resistance was at issue. The congenital Negro haters had waged a bitter campaign against those legislators who had backed the Governor in his promotion of the Perrow Plan which called for local option on school integration.
Well, the Almond followers have retained their seats with a sufficient margin to give the Governor control of the General Assembly. This was the most acrid contest that had been waged in Virginia since the close of the civil war.
Since 1865, the touchy Negro question had ceased to be a major political issue until desegregation revived it. The results of last week’s primaries are, therefore, of some consequence. If interpreted correctly, that means that the forces of moderation, at least for the moment, have an edge over those who would rather defy the Federal Courts than let Negro citizens enjoy their constitutional rights.
The people of Virginia had the choice between having their schools shut down and token integration. The more reasonable element accepted the latter alternative; not perhaps as a pious conversion to righteousness, but as bowing to the imperatives of inevitable events.
Governor Almond’s vindication at the polls should have the effect of an hypodermic to those moderates elsewhere in the South where school integration has not yet reached a critical boiling point."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
The Chicago Defender
Date
1959-7-25
Collection
Citation
N/A, “The Moderates’ Victory In Virginia, p.10,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 29, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/206.