Legal Document

It's got plenty of "whereases," "therefores," "forthwiths," and "herebys." Those are good clues that this is a formal document written with lawyers and judges in mind. It's the president's defense in case someone accuses him of breaking the law.

How it Breaks Down

Proclamation No. 3204 (1-5)

Eisenhower reminds everyone that he gave them the opportunity to stop breaking the law and to just go home in peace.

Ignoring the proclamation (6)

The protesters are still in the streets and the Black students are being kept out of Central High.

Consequences (7-11)

The law must be enforced. Here's how it's going to happen.