Date of Award

Spring 1970

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

History

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the reaction of Richmond's conservative white newspapers to the election in October 1867 for a constitutional convention. The three papers include the overtly racist Enquirer, the moderate Whig, and the Dispatch, which claimed a larger circulation than the other papers combined. All three newspapers, however, considered the Negro to be inferior and feared radical reconstruction as the ultimate disaster for Virginia. The press unanimously favored maintaining white supremacy and editorialized for the organization of conservative white opposition to the radical party in the October election.

Share

COinS