The Dixie Demagogues
I.
Who Were the Dixie Demagogues? ****
A.
Called “rednecks”, “crackers”
B.
No insurance policies, but they possessed the ballot under the dem ballots if
they could meet requirements (poll tax)
C.
Wanted to express hatred for rich man above them & the black men below
them
D.
Demogogue—Demos (people) + Gog ?(league) = league of people
E. Characteristics
i.
Possessed good oratory abilities
ii.
Warm personalities
iii. Striking appearance
iv. Reaffirmed rural prejudices—attacked “lecherous jews”, wall street
bankers…main target: disfranchised blacks
a.
Black man was a “political ulcer…a lazy, lying, lustful animal…that
couldn’t be transformed into a tolerable citizen.”
b.
“The greatest disappointment of politics in the 20
th
century was
perhaps that the admiration they aroused weren’t altogether
undeserved.”
II.
First Wave (Progressive Era)
A.
The “Wild Ass of the Ozarks”: Jeff Davis of Arkansas ****
i.
Product of Ozark mtn country
ii.
Began as prosecuting attorney, where he attracted attention with his
wholehearted liquor laws. Elected state atty general in 1898 & served 3
terms as Ark governor (1901). Elected in Senate in; died in 1913 at only
50 years old.
a.
Expelled from Little Rock Baptist Church for drinking
b.
Survived a US Senate scandal
iii. Capitalized on his famous name—Jeff Davis
a.
Expressed deep devotion to Lost Cause; image was effective—he
was
confused with Jefferson Davis
b.
Biographer noted that Davis phenomenon widened with split between
town & countryside; manipulated this: penned “rednecks” vs.
“roosters”
c.
“was a red-faced, loud-mouth mountaineer lawyer who has come to
Little Rock to get attention”
iv. Work
a.
Secured legislation which led to temp retirement from leading
insurance companies in the state
b.
Laws were passed prohibiting dishonest bank practices, favoring better
schools & direct election of public officials
B.
James Kimble of Vardaman: Mississippi’s “White Chief” ****
i.
Owed gubernatorial election of 1903 to white masses of MS hill country
who had been given power through direct election
ii.
Was well dressed & was naturally good looking
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iii. Played in the MS fear of resurgence of black power, even though the
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- Spring '09
- Brown
- Jefferson Davis, black man, US Senate, Dixie Demagogues, Dixie Demagogues I., people E. Characteristics
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