Well, at that time William Umstead was governor, and I think North
Carolina was fortunate in having that sort of person in office at the
time. His reaction was calm and one of simply pointing out that we
don't know all of the implications of this, but we will get
along with this, and we will be doing what is sensible for North
Carolina. So even at that time I think it is correct to say, from the
state level, we had in the office of the governor an individual who was
going to set a good, calming influence rather than try to exploit the
situation. I think that characterized what I recall
as generally the attitude from the responsible state level officials.
I don't believe there was any notion or idea at the time of
exactly what to do. There was no grand scheme or anything. I think
it's correct to say that those in public office at the time,
the governor and members of the legislature, certainly did not welcome
that decision. There was no desire to see integration of the races in
the public schools whatsoever. I think, as a personal matter on most
parts, it was, "Well, this is not a good thing."
Perhaps distinguishing the attitude from that in certainly some of the
states affected, we did not have in North Carolina the bellicose type of
reaction, "Over my dead body" and so forth.
Now later, of course, in '54, November or December, Governor
Umstead died. Governor Hodges, who was then lieutenant governor, became
the governor. Even though I was not yet in Raleigh on the attorney
general's staff, my recollection at that time was, on the few
occasions when I was involved in some meetings with Governor Hodges and
others, that here was a very persuasive person, a strong personality,
and an extremely able person. I think here again his basic disposition
was here is a problem, how best to deal with it. I think his general
attitude, as well as that of the former governor, Governor Umstead, was,
"We don't want to destroy the public schools. We
want to save them and keep them because we think that's
needed by the people." That's sort of the general
atmosphere.
Now, of course, during that time, as I recall, there were various
statements and comments from people in public office, members of the
legislature, some school boards, or this or that, that reflected a much
more extreme sort of reaction. But from the state level I think it was
one of moderation. Not because they were really accepting or looking
with favor on that decision, not that at all, but that here are people
in responsible positions who just were experienced, solid, pragmatic,
and wanted to try to work out the best course possible.