Southern Manifesto and Response

- 3 - I do not wish my statements to be interpreted as being critical of my colleagues who have signed the statement. I have fought with them against attempts to bring federal force to bear on this problem of race relations — the most sensitive and delicate one in our national life. I expect to fight with them again, for we are even now threatened by some with federal force. Our last weapon in this fight has been and probably will be the right of unlimited debate in the Senate. We shall need all the non-southern support we can muster to maintain this right. It is a false assumption that the nation will support us in defiance or castigation of the Supreme Court. In the end this problem will be solved by the good will, tolerance, understanding and moderation of all the people -- North and South. I fear the statement will give aid and comfort to agitators and trouble makers within and without the South