James K. Vardaman
Encyclopedia
James Kimble Vardaman was an American politician from the state of Mississippi
, serving as Governor of Mississippi from 1904 to 1908 and in the U.S. Senate from 1913 to 1919. Vardaman, known as "The Great White Chief", advocated white supremacy
. He said "if it is necessary every Negro in the state will be lynched; it will be done to maintain white supremacy."
, Jackson County, Texas and moved in 1868 with his parents to Yalobusha County, Mississippi
. He went on to study law and became editor of a newspaper, the Greenwood Commonwealth (still in publication as of 2010).
, Vardaman served in the Mississippi House of Representatives
from 1890 to 1896 and was speaker of that body in 1894. He was a major in the United States Army
during the Spanish–American War and saw service in Puerto Rico.
After two failed attempts in 1895 and 1899, Vardaman won the governorship in 1903 and served one four-year term (1904–1908).
By 1910, his political coalition, comprising chiefly poor white farmers and industrial workers, began to describe themselves proudly as "redneck
s", even to the point of wearing red neckerchiefs to political rallies and picnics.
Vardaman advocated a policy of racism against African Americans, even to the point of supporting lynching
in order to maintain his vision of white supremacy. He was known as the "Great White Chief".
Vardaman was elected to the U.S. Senate
and served one term lasting from 1913 until 1919, having been defeated in his reelection bid in 1918. The main factor in his defeat was his opposition to the Declaration of War which had enabled the United States to enter World War I. Vardaman sought to return to the Senate in 1922, but was defeated in the Democratic runoff by Congressman Hubert Stephens by 9,000 votes.
Vardaman was known for his provocative speeches and quotes, once calling Theodore Roosevelt
a "little, mean, coon
-flavored miscegenation
ist." After Booker T. Washington
had dined with Roosevelt, Vardaman said the White House was "so saturated with the odor of the nigger
that the rats have taken refuge in the stable." Vardaman, referring to the appearance of Booker T. Washington in politics, said: "I am just as much opposed to Booker T. Washington as a voter as I am to the coconut-headed, chocolate-colored typical little coon who blacks my shoes every morning."
He died on June 25, 1930 at the Birmingham Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama
.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, serving as Governor of Mississippi from 1904 to 1908 and in the U.S. Senate from 1913 to 1919. Vardaman, known as "The Great White Chief", advocated white supremacy
White supremacy
White supremacy is the belief, and promotion of the belief, that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The term is sometimes used specifically to describe a political ideology that advocates the social and political dominance by whites.White supremacy, as with racial...
. He said "if it is necessary every Negro in the state will be lynched; it will be done to maintain white supremacy."
Early life
Vardaman was born near EdnaEdna, Texas
Edna is a city in Jackson County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,899 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County.Edna is the gateway to Lake Texana, which covers the site of Texana, Texas...
, Jackson County, Texas and moved in 1868 with his parents to Yalobusha County, Mississippi
Yalobusha County, Mississippi
Yalobusha County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2010, the population was 12,678. Its county seats are Water Valley and Coffeeville.-History:...
. He went on to study law and became editor of a newspaper, the Greenwood Commonwealth (still in publication as of 2010).
Political career
As a DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Vardaman served in the Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi House of Representatives
The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi....
from 1890 to 1896 and was speaker of that body in 1894. He was a major in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Spanish–American War and saw service in Puerto Rico.
After two failed attempts in 1895 and 1899, Vardaman won the governorship in 1903 and served one four-year term (1904–1908).
By 1910, his political coalition, comprising chiefly poor white farmers and industrial workers, began to describe themselves proudly as "redneck
Redneck
Redneck is a historically derogatory slang term used in reference to poor, uneducated white farmers, especially from the southern United States...
s", even to the point of wearing red neckerchiefs to political rallies and picnics.
Vardaman advocated a policy of racism against African Americans, even to the point of supporting lynching
Lynching in the United States
Lynching, the practice of killing people by extrajudicial mob action, occurred in the United States chiefly from the late 18th century through the 1960s. Lynchings took place most frequently in the South from 1890 to the 1920s, with a peak in the annual toll in 1892.It is associated with...
in order to maintain his vision of white supremacy. He was known as the "Great White Chief".
Vardaman was elected to the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and served one term lasting from 1913 until 1919, having been defeated in his reelection bid in 1918. The main factor in his defeat was his opposition to the Declaration of War which had enabled the United States to enter World War I. Vardaman sought to return to the Senate in 1922, but was defeated in the Democratic runoff by Congressman Hubert Stephens by 9,000 votes.
Vardaman was known for his provocative speeches and quotes, once calling Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
a "little, mean, coon
Coon
Coon may refer to:* Coon, a racial slur used in the United States to refer to black people* Coon, an abbreviation for fur from raccoons and racoon dogs* Coön , a Trojan warrior who fought in the Trojan War...
-flavored miscegenation
Miscegenation
Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, sexual relations, and procreation....
ist." After Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
had dined with Roosevelt, Vardaman said the White House was "so saturated with the odor of the nigger
Nigger
Nigger is a noun in the English language, most notable for its usage in a pejorative context to refer to black people , and also as an informal slang term, among other contexts. It is a common ethnic slur...
that the rats have taken refuge in the stable." Vardaman, referring to the appearance of Booker T. Washington in politics, said: "I am just as much opposed to Booker T. Washington as a voter as I am to the coconut-headed, chocolate-colored typical little coon who blacks my shoes every morning."
He died on June 25, 1930 at the Birmingham Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.