Hays, Brooks

Description

Article in U.S. News and World Report based on excerpts from Hays' book A Southern Moderate Speaks Inside Story of Little Rock ... "It has always been my opinion that the Governor was sincere in his fear of the outbreak of violence" at the opening of an unsegregated high school in Little Rock an intelligible statement after only two hours' sleep. That Sunday I spoke three times in Fort Worth to large crowds. In the afternoon I called the Governor, who was now back in Little Rock. In the middle of the conversation, he asked, "Where are you?" When I told him I was in Fort Worth and was going on to Oklahoma City for several days, he said, "I'd appreciate your coming back to Little Rock for a day or two if you can." "New Pressures" From Extremists I agreed at once, fearing that something had gone wrong. I was confident that the Governor did not want a showdown with the Federal Government, but I had sensed the fact that terrific new pressures were being applied and that he was in a difficult situation. Indeed, the visit of Governor Griffin of Georgia to Little Rock in August had greatly encouraged local extremists and had exacerbated the problem considerably from the standpoint of spreading fear of violence. I am often asked if I think violence would have taken place had the Governor not predicted stoutly in State court on Thursday before the school opening that it would take place and...

From Collection

Brooks Hays Materials

Record Contributed By

University of Arkansas