’ This afternoon, following a series of threats and defiant statements, the presence of the Alabama National Guardsmen was required on the Univerrsity of Alabama to carry out the unequivocal order of of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama. That order called for the admission of two clearly qualified Alabama residents who happened to have been born Negro…I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents.

This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened…

Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and otect the rights of all who wish to be free…

It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or color. In short, every American ouught to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated…’