Part 5 Chapter 34 Summary

LBJ's presidential hopes were threatened, not only by the Eastland matter, but also by southern senators' "Declaration of Constitutional Principles." Drafted by Thurmon and edited by Russell (and promptly abbreviated by the press to the "Southern Manifesto"), it declared that recent Supreme Court decisions had no basis and represented a "clear abuse of judicial power," encroaching on "the reserved rights of the states." It boiled down the separate-but-equal doctrine to the right of parents to direct the lives and education of their children in any way they chose. Moreover, Brown would provoke hatred and suspicion between the races, where friendship and understanding had existed for ninety years through segregation. Nineteen southern senators and eighty-one representatives pledged unity in doing everything lawful to reverse the decision and prevent its implementation. George was selected to read the text in the Senate.

LBJ appeared...