Intergration & Conservatism
The following views are the editorial policy of the Guilfordian a
H by the Editor. They do not claim to be representative of the vie
students, nor of all the members of the staff.
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Despite the fact that North Carolina is probably the most progressive of Southern states in the field of race relations, the problem of
integration is still one of the most difficult and sensitive that we must
face. It is obvious that integration can never be a success unless it is
accepted by a majority of the general public. And to bring the general
public around to a state of mind in which they will tolerate integration
is perhaps the most difficult aspect of the whole problem.
The mass demonstration by Negro students against segregation
during the past week, which involved four Guilford students, in no
way promotes the tolerance and broad-mindedness that is so necessary
for integration to be a success. Deliberate and premeditated breaking
of the law embitters the segregationist and often alienates the moderate. The part which four Guilford students played in this unfortunate
affair was unconstructive and foolish.
The field of race relations presents an outstanding case in point for
the validity of the conservative approach. It is this approach alone
which can in the long run most surely solve the problems which we
face.
Generally speaking, the conservatives in America today can be
broken down into three groups. We have the conservative in temperament: this is the person who, by virtue of his psychological makeup,
is unwilling or unable to break away from the comfortable contours of
the present, the status quo. Then there is the conservative in policy:
this is the individual who, for one reason or another, happens to be
holding the same position as the mass of conservatives, regardless of
his reasons. Conservative policy today would include such stands as
a more aggressive foreign policy, a halt to the centralization of power
in the national government, and a more capitalistic approach to the
national economy. But the true conservative is the conservative in
method. The conservative in method is characterized by a pragmatic
approach to problems, a realistic view of man and society, and a deep
appreciation for the values and traditions of civilization.
This is the approach of Edmund Burke, an eighteenth century British political thinker who has been called the "father of modern conservatism." In his most famous work, Reflections on the French Revolution, Burke emphasizes that men are immensely dependent upon
habit and traditions; that they have deep loyalties and prejudices; and
that any sharp break with past, breaking these traditions and loyalties,
can lead only to a chaotic breakdown in civilization. Burke disapproved of the French Revolution on these grounds. While he could not
countenance the despotism of the Bourbon dynasty, he regarded the
revolution and its aftermath as a tragedy. His views were prophetic;
the successor to the Bourbon despotism was the dictatorship of Napoleon and the ultimate downfall of France, from which she has not
to this day recovered.
We are today presented with a similar situation in the South, albeit
on a much smaller scale. The majority of the people of the South are
devotedly loyal to the tradition of white supremacy. No amount of demands, threats or appeals to alien standards will change this position.
Only persuasion, reason and a gradual and patient approach can effect
the desired result of equality for all.
The idea of civil disobedience is completely alien to the conservative. The use of this drastic step introduces an element of irresponsibility and lawlessness that is fatal to the essential calmness, cooperation and patience that must prevail. Even mass demonstrations necessarily imply a show of strength, a threat and a challenge. It is not difficult to envision the response of the unsure moderate, not to mention
the segregationist.
We appeal to all who are sincerely concerned with a practical, realistic means of solving this critical problem to take heed to this sensible
approach.
—Theodore R. Buddine
