Nation: AN HOUR OF NEED

RARELY in American memory had hope and horror been so poignantly had fused men's within a actions — single voluntary week. and in Rarely voluntary — seemed so ineluctably inter twined. President Johnson's announce ment of a major peace offensive in Asia, coupled with his renunciation of another term, raised anticipation throughout the world that the long ag ony of Viet Nam might soon be ended.

Even as that hope blossomed, an older blight on the American conscience burst through with the capriciousness of a spring freeze. In Memphis, through the budding branches of trees surrounding a tawdry rooming house, a white...