429

426

for graduate and professional study not offered at a Negro College
in North Carolina. Negroes are not eligible at this time to make
application for admission to the undergraduate divisions of the
University.

With all good wishes, I am

Faithfully yours,

Roy Armstrong
Director.'

"I note in passing the manner in which the letters are addressed to these
applicants. It seems to be a studied attempt to be discourteous in
referring to the applicants by their first names. I am certain that
business correspondence emanating from your institution does not usually
follow this form.

"One purpose of this letter is to determine whether or not the views on
this subject as expressed in the above letter by Mr. Armstrong actually
reflect the thinking and policy of the Trustees of the University of
North Carolina and yourself as well. It seems to me that Mr. Armstrong's
position is not only contrary to the law as revealed by the recent cases
decided in the Supreme Court of the United States, but also it is not in
keeping with the type of leadership which a great University should pro-
vide for the guidance of its State and Community in the development of
justice and human relations.

"It is my firm belief that this position, as exemplified by Mr. Arm-
strong's letter, is untenable either upon legal, moral or spiritual
grounds. Surely a great University such as yours will not use its tre-
mendous prestige and influence to spearhead a fight against citizens of
North Carolina who are attempting merely to secure rights and opportunities
granted to them by the Constitution of the United States. It is common
knowledge that students of different races from all parts of the world
attend the University of North Carolina in all of its branches and depart-
ments. Many of these students come from lands where democracy is on trial,
others are from lands where democracy is only a memory and where the
battle is even now being waged to restore representative government and
simple justice to the people. The University on the one hand, by con-
cept, purports to demonstrate to those students the democratic way of
life, while on the other hand, by precept, it is denying to the American
citizens the fruits of democracy, purely because they are Negroes. Our
position is that such conduct is a travesty upon the concepts of
Democracy and Christianity.

"Over the years, the student body of the University of North Carolina
has established a tradition of liberal thinking in the field of human
relations which has gained for it a world wide reputation for taking
forthright stands on moral and spiritual issues. All indications are
to the effect that the great majority of the students are quite willing
to accept qualified Negroes as fellow students. It is interesting to
note in this respect that the thinking of the Student body, the members
which are directly affected, is far ahead of that of the policymakers
of the University, assuming that Mr. Armstrong's statement does reflect
the true policy of the Board of Trustees.

"In the light of the above facts and in the good name of the
University, I respectfully request that you, as President of the insti-
tution, take a strong forthright stand and reverse the act and deed of
Mr. Roy Armstrong, Director of Admissions, and order that the applica-
tions of these three persons and any subsequent applications from
Negroes be considered in the same manner as would those of any other
citizens of North Carolina.

"An early reply will be appreciated.

"With every good wish, I am

Very truly yours,

C. O. Pearson, Chairman
Legal Regress Committee NC State Branch
NAACP"