Race Politics: LBJ's BIG SWITCH from INTIMIDATION to ENTITLEMENT to control minority voters

American Minute ^ | July 28, 2020 | Bill Federer

[Perseverando]

In 1857, the Supreme Court, with 7 of the 9 Justices being Democrat, decided that Dred Scott was not a citizen, but property.

Chief Justice Roger Taney was appointed by the first Democrat President, Andrew Jackson.

Taney wrote in his Dred Scott decision that slaves were "so far inferior ... that the Negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for their own benefit."

Abraham Lincoln rejected this. He did not believe in "stare decisis" - that he had to honor the precedent of the Dred Scott decision, stating June 28, 1857:

"We think the Dred Scott decision is erroneous. We know the court that made it, has often over-ruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to have it to over-rule this ..."

Lincoln added:

"Why this same Supreme Court once decided a national bank to be constitutional; but General Jackson, as President of the United States, disregarded the decision ... (stating in) his veto message:

'It is maintained by the advocates of the bank, that its constitutionality ... ought to be considered as settled by precedent, and by the decision of the Supreme Court ...

To this conclusion I cannot assent. Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority, and should not be regarded as deciding questions of constitutional power.'"

Lincoln, the first Republican President, referenced the Dred Scott decision in his Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861:

"If the policy of the Government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made ... the people will have ceased to be their own rulers."

Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863, but Congress considered it an overreach of Presidential power.

[Perseverando]

Time for another great American (and world) history lesson from American Minute.

[Orbiter]

Lost in a shuffle somewhere...

[Fiddlstix]

I still have my copy of the book "A Texan Looks At Lyndon"
He Was A Crook and an all round SOB.
I hated Him!

[Gay State Conservative]

I wonder if Landslide Lyndon ever actually said “we'll have those n*ggers voting Democrat for 200 years”.

[KSCITYBOY]

btt

[nicollo]

Exactly. We all know the intent and effect, but where is the direct evidence? I wouldn’t be surprised if his biographers know but hid it.

[hawkaw]

Thanks for this post.

[dontreadthis]

that was a good read
thanks

[MacNaughton]

The 2nd quote appeared for the 1st time anywhere on page 33 of Ronald Kessler’s 1995 book, Inside the White House: The Hidden Lives of the Modern Presidents and the Secrets of the World’s Most Powerful Institution

Johnson, like other presidents, would often reveal his true motivations in asides that the press never picked up. During one trip, Johnson was discussing his proposed civil rights bill with two governors. Explaining why it was so important to him, he said it was simple: “I’ll have them niggers voting Democratic for two hundred years.”

“That was the reason he was pushing the bill,” said MacMillan, who was present during the conversation. “Not because he wanted equality for everyone. It was strictly a political ploy for the Democratic party. He was phony from the word go.”

The “MacMillan” referenced above was Ronald M. MacMillan, a former Air Force One steward Kessler interviewed for Inside the White House.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Flaming Conservative]

I watched a PBS documentary online, a couple of years ago. I think it was a part of their “The Presidents” series -— can’t quite remember. Anyway, I was surprised they showed some of his bad sides. (Of course, they also had Doris Kearns Goodwin drooling all over herself about how awesome LBJ was. And if I recall, they even had Lady Byrd defending his many affairs, that he was so wonderful that she could overlook his need for them). But they had some of the black civil rights leaders talking about how he’d slip up and talk about “n***ers in front of them, then catch himself and make excuses. And they ACTUALLY made excuses for HIM, because of what he was going to accomplish!

[Old Student]

I wonder if Landslide Lyndon ever actually said “we'll have those n*ggers voting Democrat for 200 years”.

According to Ronald Kessler's book, Inside The White House (1996), Lyndon Johnson, who had a reputation for vulgarity in private conversations, explained his big switch strategy change from intimidation to entitlement to two Democrat governors aboard Air Force One, saying: "I'll have those n****rs voting Democratic for the next 200 years."

I can't swear it really happened, but there is a cited reference.

[PGalt]

OUTSTANDING post/thread. Thanks. History/education/current events BUMP!

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

I posted this on Next door I will probably be banned!!

[sima_yi]

In 1857, the Supreme Court, with 7 of the 9 Justices being Democrat, decided that Dred Scott was not a citizen, but property.

It was, in fact, a 7 to 2 decision, with the seven being Democrats and/or appointed by Democrat presidents, and the two being Whigs. One of the Whigs later resigned from the Court in disgust at the decision.