60 years ago — December 8, 1958
In November 1957 a group of Atlanta ministers signed a statement dealing with integration and the public schools. In light of the threat by political leaders to dismantle the public school system, a second statement was issued by the ministers in 1958 emphasizing the first statement and clarifying its points in light of the unfolding events. This second statement was signed by 312 ministers — 78 of which were Presbyterian. “Six principles set forth in this statement as essential to the solution to our problem may be summarized as follows:
Freedom of speech must at all cost be preserved.
As Americans and as religious leaders, we have an obligation to obey the law.
The public school system must not be destroyed.
Hatred and scorn for those of another race, or for those who hold a position different from our own, can never be justified.
Communication between responsible leaders of the races must be maintained.
Our difficulties cannot be solved in our own strength or in human wisdom but only through prayer and in obedience to the will of God.”
From “On the South’s racial crisis” by editor Aubrey N. Brown
