Warren Harding and Civil Rights
Warren Harding may have been a first-rate adulterer who couldn't keep it in his pants. And he may have presided over one of the most scandal-ridden governments in the history of the nation. But to his credit, he had a very good record when it came to civil rights. Harding spoke out about racial intolerance at a time when it wasn't popular to do so, and when the Ku Klux Klan was at its highest membership. According to one of his biographers, Harding "did not hold any racial animosity."
Harding took the fight against racism right to the heart of where it was the strongest. In a speech on October 26, 1921, given in segregated Birmingham, Alabama Harding spoke out strongly in favour of civil rights for African Americans. He was the first 20th century President to openly advocate for political, educational, and economic equality for African-Americans. Harding went further and viewed the race problem as a national and international issue and called for an end to the sectionalism of the old south. In keeping with the mores of the times however, Harding openly stated that he was not for black social equality in terms of racial mixing or miscegenation. Harding also spoke on a phenomenon of the times known as "the Great Migration" believing that blacks migrating to the north and west to find employment had actually tempered race relations between blacks and whites.
Harding named some African Americans to federal positions, such as Walter L. Cohen of New Orleans, Louisiana, whom he named comptroller of customs. Harding wanted the establishment of an international commission to improve race relations between whites and blacks, but strong political opposition by southern Democrats prevented the establishment of such a commission.
The Ku Klux Klan had its highest membership during its revival in the 1920s, when it expanded membership among urban populations of the Midwest and South who were concerned about job competition and immigration. Harding supported Congressman Leonidas Dyer's federal anti-lynching bill, known as the Dyer Bill, which passed the House of Representatives on January 26, 1922. The bill was defeated in the Senate by a Democratic filibuster. Harding had previously spoken out publicly against lynching, including in his speech in Birmingham.
President Harding signed an immigration bill on May 19, 1921 which severely reduced the amount of immigration into the U.S. to 3% of a country's represented population based on the 1910 census. The Act allowed unauthorized immigrants to be deported. Harding and Secretary of Labor James Davis believed that enforcement had to be humane. Harding often allowed exceptions granting reprieves to thousands of immigrants.
Harding also spoke of tolerance towards all religious faiths. He appointed prominent Jewish leader Rabbi Joseph S. Kornfeld, and Catholic leader Father Joseph M. Dennig to foreign diplomatic positions. Harding also appointed Albert Lasker, a Jewish businessman and Harding's 1920 Presidential campaign manager, head of the Shipping Department. In an unpublished letter, Harding advocated the establishment and funding of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
Harding's generosity and loyalty to friends proved to be a liability as President. Multiple scandals evolved during his administration that damaged his reputation throughout the nation. It's unfortunate that history generally remembers Harding for the scandals which came about during his administration such as the Teapot Dome, and for his marital infidelity. Those aspects of his presidency hide the fact that he took a very progressive and courageous stance in the field of civil rights and racial equality. If those had been the centerpiece of his presidency, history would remember him more fondly and more favourably.
Harding took the fight against racism right to the heart of where it was the strongest. In a speech on October 26, 1921, given in segregated Birmingham, Alabama Harding spoke out strongly in favour of civil rights for African Americans. He was the first 20th century President to openly advocate for political, educational, and economic equality for African-Americans. Harding went further and viewed the race problem as a national and international issue and called for an end to the sectionalism of the old south. In keeping with the mores of the times however, Harding openly stated that he was not for black social equality in terms of racial mixing or miscegenation. Harding also spoke on a phenomenon of the times known as "the Great Migration" believing that blacks migrating to the north and west to find employment had actually tempered race relations between blacks and whites.
Harding named some African Americans to federal positions, such as Walter L. Cohen of New Orleans, Louisiana, whom he named comptroller of customs. Harding wanted the establishment of an international commission to improve race relations between whites and blacks, but strong political opposition by southern Democrats prevented the establishment of such a commission.
The Ku Klux Klan had its highest membership during its revival in the 1920s, when it expanded membership among urban populations of the Midwest and South who were concerned about job competition and immigration. Harding supported Congressman Leonidas Dyer's federal anti-lynching bill, known as the Dyer Bill, which passed the House of Representatives on January 26, 1922. The bill was defeated in the Senate by a Democratic filibuster. Harding had previously spoken out publicly against lynching, including in his speech in Birmingham.
President Harding signed an immigration bill on May 19, 1921 which severely reduced the amount of immigration into the U.S. to 3% of a country's represented population based on the 1910 census. The Act allowed unauthorized immigrants to be deported. Harding and Secretary of Labor James Davis believed that enforcement had to be humane. Harding often allowed exceptions granting reprieves to thousands of immigrants.
Harding also spoke of tolerance towards all religious faiths. He appointed prominent Jewish leader Rabbi Joseph S. Kornfeld, and Catholic leader Father Joseph M. Dennig to foreign diplomatic positions. Harding also appointed Albert Lasker, a Jewish businessman and Harding's 1920 Presidential campaign manager, head of the Shipping Department. In an unpublished letter, Harding advocated the establishment and funding of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
Harding's generosity and loyalty to friends proved to be a liability as President. Multiple scandals evolved during his administration that damaged his reputation throughout the nation. It's unfortunate that history generally remembers Harding for the scandals which came about during his administration such as the Teapot Dome, and for his marital infidelity. Those aspects of his presidency hide the fact that he took a very progressive and courageous stance in the field of civil rights and racial equality. If those had been the centerpiece of his presidency, history would remember him more fondly and more favourably.