Lafayette Advertiser founder William Bailey.
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When William Bailey started the weekly Lafayette Advertiser in 1865, he created a political platform for opponents to Reconstruction, supporters of white supremacy and advocates for violence against Black Louisianans. And Bailey himself shared those views in the newspaper that later became The Daily Advertiser. Here are excerpts from the pages of The Advertiser from that period.
William Bailey in appeal to Reconstruction rulers
Jan. 2, 1869
“May those who have the political power in their hands know their error towards a noble and down trodden people. May their eyes become opened to the iniquity of their rule. May their minds become impressed with the patent truth that southern men, nay constitutional men, are true and loyal to the Constitution and to the interests of the country at large. May they finally be convinced that we ask no favors, but simply demand the enjoyment of our just and unalienable rights, and that generosity which a civilized victor is in honor bound to extend to his conquered foe.”
William Bailey's sarcasm about Native American citizenship
Feb. 20, 1869
“We would insist upon the original lords of this soil voting and becoming entitled to all the privileges of American citizenship. The great landmarks, of right and wrong are torn down, the hallowed reminiscences of American glory are blurred, nay, smothered by grovelling ambition. The government is given over to Sambo or his satanic leaders, or deceivers. White men stand aside. Mr. ‘Injun’ step in. If this country does not belong to our race it certainly belongs to yours."
From pro-Confederate newspaper The Banner of the South
Aug. 7, 1869
“There never has been, perhaps, in the history of the world so gigantic a Revolution — or we might admit, Rebellion if you please — carried on with such limited resources as that of the South in its late effort to separate from the North and establish a Constitutional Government of its own. For four years it was carried on with a vigor and an earnestness that not only deserved success, but astonished our enemies and the world at large.”
Sins of the past: The Daily Advertiser's and founder William Bailey's racist roots
William Bailey on white politicians seeking voting rights for Black Louisianans
March 13, 1869
“We are told that there some leading and aspiring politicians of the Caucasian Race in our State in favor of negro suffrage, universal or qualified! Well, well — What next?”
On secret Democratic Party protection against 'insolent' Black residents
April 17, 1869
“There were secret organizations in the Parish they existed in both parties, the Democrats and Republicans. The object of the Republican secret society we do not judge of but by the insolent and overbearing conduct of the negro population and their repeated threats, which were of the most incendiary nature towards the Democrats and white population. The secret Democratic organization was organized for the purpose of protection to all and especially towards the blind and deluded negro.”
From the New Orleans Times, on Grant as chief invader and aggressor
Aug. 7, 1869
“Gen. Robert E. Lee, saith the embodiment and organ of Radical wisdom, is not a proper adviser of Gov. Walker of Virginia, because his only distinction was a leader in defensive warfare. Whence it follows that if he been, like Gen. Grant, the chief of an invading or aggressive army, he would be highly competent to give sound political advice."
Confederate monuments: Gen. Alfred Mouton led civil war against Lafayette's Black residents
Swiss natural scientist Louis Agassiz calling Black people another species
June 28, 1873
“The negro and the white man were created as specifically different as the owl and the eagle. They were designed to fill different places in the system of nature. The negro is no more a negro by accident and misfortune than the owl is the kind of bird he is by accident or misfortune. The negro is no more the white man’s brother, than the owl is the sister of the eagle, or the ass the brother of a horse.”
Letter from white supremacist group The White League in Lafayette
June 13, 1874
“They have formed, what is called ‘The White League’ that is a political party composed of white men, the main object of which is to reform the abuses in our State Government and to place the same under the influence and control of the white people..."
William Bailey appeal to White League not to challenge other Democrats
Aug. 8, 1874
“There exists no material difference of opinion between us and our honest and intelligent White League friends. We wish to accomplish the same objects, but by different means. If we are divided, neither of us will succeed.”
From The Baton Rouge Advocate on Bailey’s clerk of court appointment
Feb. 11, 1893
“During the dark days of radical oppression his paper held aloft the white banners of Democracy and his pen and tongue never faltered in the discharge of every duty incumbent upon him.”
Jerome Mouton in support of white supremacy in history of Lafayette
Feb. 28, 1913
“Nevertheless I cannot close this sketch of the history of Lafayette, even in its incomplete and unsatisfactory form, without referring with a tribute of praise to the men who re-established the supremacy and integrity of the white race in Louisiana. Lafayette again asserted its patriotism, and the White League and the White Camelias, patriotic organizations, were formed in the parish, and in a few years social order was restored and an era of peace and plenty followed. I have a roster of the membership of these organizations and I sometimes think that the children in the public schools of the parish should be taught to pay reverence and homage to their names.
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