The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 13, 1963, Page Page Two, Image 2

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We March To INTEGRATION, feared but expected, has finally become a reality on our campus this semester. The desegregation process is one which can not be stopped -- it is a pill we must swallow and accept with the courage, wisdom, and dignity traditional to South Carolina. We know that legal resist ance can not be overcome, and that physical resistance will be met by Federal force. The lesson of Sept. 30, 1962, in Oxford, Miss., has taught us that we can not yield to violence and disorder, for we do not want our University to become a bloody battle ground of armed troops or our State to be come disgraced in the eyes of the nation and the world. We have but one alternative - obedience to the law - the Supreme Court decision stands. While we believe it is essential to obey the laws of this land in order to preserve our democracy, we also believe we have the right to take issue with the laws which we follow. As the law commanding the desegregation of our institution should be obeyed, so should the basic rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. If we grant to cer tain individuals their consbitutional rights, we can not deny these rights to others. W E have made it clear that we should, at all costs, obey the laws of our land; however, we feel free and compelled to state that we are opposed to the integration of the University of South Carolina at this time, not because of prejudice or because of a de sire to perpetuate racial segregation, but because we feel it is in the best interests of both races. It seems to us that it is senseless to inte grate the races without any true moral pur pose, yet it is in this direction we are being compelled to follow. Before we can attain, or should attain, integration, there must be an unconscious willingness among both races toward acceptance. Such a state, however, does not exist in South Carolina at this time, and it is for this reason that we oppose the desegregation of our campus this fall. "IT is at the bottom of life that we must begin, and not at the top," stated Booker T. Washington in his autobiography Up From Slavery. The eminent Negro educator of the 19th century went on to say, "Nor should we permit our grievances to over shadow our opportunities." Washington had great faith in both the white and Negro races in the South; he felt that integration might eventually evolve when the Negro race proved itself of such indispensable value that the white race would feel the presence of the Negro was necessary to the happiness and wellbeing of the South. "No man who continues to add something to the material, intellectual, and moral well-being of the Statenuent As the school year begins, the new staff of The Gamecock assumes its duties and pub lishes the first issue of the newspaper for the semester. As in the past, our policy will continue to be to supply the news and not suppress it. We are cognizant of our re sponsibilities and duties to the student body ; to present a precise, accurate account of campus events, to become a forum for the exchange of comment and criticism, and to become a means of projecting the opinions and attitudes of the groups on campus to one another. Fairness and impartiality will be at tempted at all times on the news pages. We will play the news as we thing it should be played, whether we like what it says or not. At all times, we promise to be guided by the rules governing good journalism: sound judgment and common sense. Our namesake is a fighting bird. This -Ted N We Are S INCE the famous 1954 Su- taught what hun preme Court decision, we have saidl and done - been faced with the problem of weakness, color, whether a state has the right to characteristic o: allow racial discrimination within Laws influence o its borders, andl whether or not actions. But so< the Federal government has the Which is stronge: right to find these discrimina- the latter, since tions wrong, according to our emotional being, constitution. U OT only doe Legally, all citizens of this INdiscriminate country have their rights granted situation, but th by our constitution. The question There is discrimii of who settles this problem has societies in every not been decided upon, as yet' earth. There ai The really important problem is in this country whether forced Integration will elimination of di be of any benefit to persons who their own race, have been discriminated against. This discriminat We all are prejudiced about solve the problei certain things - no matter how never make a rig slight the degree. This Is very Physical integi evident when we remember that If It Is forced ag we were raised by human beings, ity In control, w Fate Abreast place in which he lives is long left without proper reward," Washington said. We stand unequivocally with Mr. Wash ington, one of the great leaders of his people, in encouraging the Negro to secure his rights through constant striving and hard work, and proving his worth, rather than by means of artificially forciiig his acceptance. OUR University is not yet prepared for integration. If a Negro must enter the doors of our institution without the willing ness of the whites, can this be considered a forward step in race relations? In the end, all that can be achieved by the admission of Negroes in this manner is to deepen racial animosities and suspicions. On the other h.nd, when the University opens its doors to Negroes, not as the result of federal laws, but as the result of seeking students of merit, without regard to race, this, and only this, will be a measure of progress in under standing. The ideal of freedom from prejudice is fine in theory, but difficult sometimes to practice. By artificially en forcing physical integration, we only impede the progress of geniune integration. It is often difficult for people in various sections of the nation to comprehend the struggle that is taking place in the South today. It is a struggle of both the white and Negro races toward erasing racial mis conceptions and fears that have existed over many years. The road from slavery is long and discouraging, but it is a road the Ameri can Negro must walk, step by step, if he is to someday reach the ideal of equality. There are no short cuts on this road to equality, neither God nor government can create them; they can only make the road less difficult to travel. T HE fall of 1963 will go on record as more than just another academic semester at our University - it will serve as an index of and a challenge to the student body. While we oppose integration at this time, feeling that it is not in the best interests of either race, we must face reality with rationality and comply with the laws of our nation. The lesson of Oxford, Miss., has taught us that not only is mob rule imprudent, but it will solve no problems, only create larger ones. It is often hard to obey laws which interfere with our domestic problems, which we know and can handle better, but, perhaps, this is the price we must pay for democracy. The laws of changeless justice bind Oppressor with oppressed; And close as sin and suffering joined We march to fate abreast. Of Policy Gamecock wvill fight, too, if need be. We will not fight for the sake of fighting, nor will we criticize without purpose. We will, how ever, not be afraid to ruffle our feathers a little if we feel it is for the best interests of Carolina and the student body. The Game cock will remain a product of student work and the voice of the students; it will be a paper wholly for and by the students. The new staff has accepted the responsi bility of continuing to publish a newspaper which will be of the most service to Caro lina. While we will continue to maintain a high quality, we will always strive to im prove. We believe in Carolina and believe that this coming year will be one of the greatest years of progress for the University, and The Gamecock will not be left behind. We will, as our masthead so ably puts it, con tinue "crowing for a greater Carolina." arrow - anbeng have better udrting of theprb -with all the lem. It will hinder true social ademotion so integration andl acceptance, which F our species, is what all minorities are truly ur thoughts andi seeking. A minority group has to lo our emotions. be' wanted for its worth to be r? I wouldl chose really integratedl into a society man is still ano controlled by the majority. on the whole. We must give Negoes edutcationl s the majority and the chance to better their en ianygi tire race bfore we all dare to emnrt,to ateprelintegration. This is nation within all the only answer to the problem country on this now, but there will he others as 'e organizations time goes on. pushing for the lTE must niot face this prob scrimination for le 1m with only sorrow in our but not others- hearts for the prejudice we have, ion doesn't help but rather with hope that some n. Two wrongs <lay we might find our country -atlon, especially and world truly in the hands of ainst the major- logic -- with today's prejudice i11 never lade to lened, a little more. C " AN4 8WE T,gE - &OT Tc> WE -ioONr orTg U'Ne T CoJU:NT /eauii/uf ?ru6tration rhere are times when we mortals, amid our strife. Contemplate the possibility of ending our life. Death would be sweet and full of bliss, I'm sure these earthy worries we would not miss. As we turn our eyes up to the sky, We wonder by what method we will choose to die. [t must be one that when we go, the life from us will quickly flow, For if we are found before our task is complete, We will not reap the eternal reward so sweet! After we have departed from this poor earth, Perhaps somewhere there will be a birth Df a child who through the years will grow, And I hope, to reach manhood to know, What it is like to live out his days Without finding himself lost, in depression's maze! -Richard B. Sands 2 TODD V AGAIN, I should like to take this opportunity to welcome our new freshmen. We are happy to have them become a part of the Carolina Community. They shall soon be an integral part of life here at the University. This year Student Govern ment, as well as the entire stu dent body, is to face the greatest challenge which we have experi enced in quite some time. It is a time when we must act with dig nity and reservation. The eyes of our state, nation, and world are on us. We have an oppor tunity to bring great credit to our University, and I am con lident that we will act accord ingly. Our action at this time will not mean that we, as in dividuals, approve or disapprove of what is taking place. It does not mean that we accept or re ject. It does mean that we have enough respect for Carolina and ourselves to uphold the good name that we already have. ON the lighter s i d e of things. . Our student government com mittees are soon to begin func tioning, and we invite all stu dents, new and old, to sign up to help out with our work. Some of these committees and their chairmen are Student Union, Tim Quinn; Artists Series, Herb Adams; Dance Committee, Doug Elmore; Student Speakers Bu reau, Craig Wrigley; and State Student Legislature, P e r r y Moses. If you are interested in any of these committees, please con tact the chairman or come b y the Student Government Office on the main floor of Russell House. These committees form the basis for our student activi Presidentia To the Carolina Student B( To all of you of the Car to this campus of high hop, * As a. student it the Unive q holder's inlterest in onne of forts being made by any St * The peo ple of South (Ca fic ers and Leg islature of t) ousl1y of their support be< portance of the Univers1.it Carolina. We areC fortunate in hai faculty1, ani e.rcellenlt phy1. mean(ifs andi( adinf~ist ration tion as aI fir'st-.rate Univers The University and its accredited, and every gradi you received your d-iplooni South Carolina. As we beg in another ca size perhaps the most preC tion -- time. An academi months. Every student sho. it count. Form the habit successful anid fulfilling ye< - A University education ment of hours of study. I *time to best advantage. Y time. Budget time and tre< right from the start, and wealth of golden moments your enjoyment of campus Let me 'wish you a hap; w uhich you expand your fua sonal horizons and your cea Cord THO Presa CROWING FOR UNIVERSITY OF Member of Associat, Founded .January 30, 1908, witl Editor, "The Camecock * is pub,lidI University of South Carolina weekly except on holidays and during exari The opinion, expressed by col necessarily those of "The G.amcc Letters to the Editor, but all Lette not constitute an endorsement. TI -ipublication any letter is reserved. EDITOR . lMANAGING ED)ITOR BUSINESS MANAGER Copy Editor News Editor Sports Editor Society Editor Feature Editor Campus Editor Chief Photographer Advertising Manager Circulation Manager' Exchne Editor IILSON Several Bills Facing Senate This Semester ties, and we hope to have some of the best in recent years dur ing the coming year. Still we will need your help to plan the activities which will be best for the year. S TUDENT Senate will be faced with several bills of major importance during the year, chief of which will be on Con stitutional changes, to be studied under a committee headed by Jim Scheider. There are a number of desired changes, and we are beginning to examine the entire Student Government set-up at Carolina. We began to make progress last year, and this year we are expecting to make tremendous strides to strengthen our present organization. It will be a busy year, and we have our work cut out for us. We do expect this year to be one of the best in t history of Carolina. Student Senate meetings are open to the entire student body. and we urge your attendance to find out exactly what work is. The opportunity is here. Let us make the most, of all that we can. F RESIIMAN orientation was a tremendous success, and much credit is due the counselors. faculty advisors, and the fresh men themselves. They displayed a spirit that we need here at Carolina, and as we begin the new year, the cheerleaders and l'ep Club will seek to instill "the new spirit of Carolina." Sug gestions on orientation with new ideas, etc., will be welcomed if any of you will be willing to make them. We are off to a good start so let us keep up the good work the entire year. I We!come )dy:.' olina. con tiunityU, wielcomce r' ( and great opportunities. ruit)/, y/ou e~xercise aI share the finrest educational ef rite in the Union. rolinag andl the e'leced of et Sta te have given generc euSe they realize the' im yI to the future of South o insure that we canf func ityi. various schools areC jflly afte can say 'with pride that 1fr'om the liniv'ersity~ of (demic year(I, let me emipha joous factor in your educa c yeCar emnbracees onlyi nine uld make everyj moment of 'fow and you will enjoy a r. is an aiccumu ilative invest ou must learni to use your >)U can never mnake up) lost Isure the minutes. D)o that you'll be suriprised <at the wieh will be left over for >yl, p)roductiv ye(a r, one in id of knowledge, your per >abilities. ially, MAS F. JONES dent of the University A GRBEATER OUTHI CAROLINA 'I C;ollegiate. Press Robert Elliott Gomn:rales as the first edl b' ande for la the s otn s of the onintiul.ays, dluring thc college year Limnists and letter Writer are not ~ eck." "The G;amecoc-k" encourages rs m st h siged. uablishing does io right to edtor withhold from DENNIS MYERS D)AVE BLEDSOE EM 1LY1 REDDlING D)onna Russell Regina Galgano Mike McCarthy Connie Wall Pat Roessle Mary Carlton O'Neal Bill Campbell Larry Barrett Sheila Reardlon