Josephus Daniels, American publisher and diplomat, 41st United States Secretary of the Navy (b. 1862)

Josephus Daniels: A Dominant Voice in American Politics and Media

Josephus Daniels (May 18, 1862 – January 15, 1948) was an influential American newspaper editor, publisher, and prominent political figure whose career spanned from the 1880s until his death. For decades, he wielded significant power and influence as the owner and editor of the Raleigh News and Observer, which stood as North Carolina's largest and most important newspaper.

A Career Forged in Public Service and Political Alliances

A staunch Democrat, Daniels' political ascendancy led to his appointment by United States President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Navy during World War I. In this crucial role, Daniels was primarily responsible for shaping naval policy, managing administrative affairs, and overseeing the formal aspects of the burgeoning U.S. Navy during the Great War. Notably, a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as his Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a position that allowed Roosevelt to handle many of the major operational and wartime decisions, developing a close working relationship that would significantly shape both men's futures.

Their bond deepened over time, and Daniels became a close confidant and ardent supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Following Roosevelt's election as United States President, he reciprocated Daniels' loyalty by appointing him as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Daniels served in this sensitive diplomatic post from 1933 to 1941, a period marked by significant geopolitical challenges. As ambassador, he was tasked with navigating the complexities of post-revolutionary Mexico, particularly dealing with an often anti-American government and contentious issues such as the expropriation of American oil investments by the Mexican government, a move that tested the limits of Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor Policy."

A Legacy Tainted by White Supremacy and Racial Disenfranchisement

Despite his significant national and international roles, Daniels' legacy is profoundly marred by his unwavering commitment to white supremacy and racial segregation. He was a vehement proponent of these ideologies and, alongside prominent figures like Charles Aycock and Furnifold Simmons, played a central role as a leading perpetrator of the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898. This historical event, often described as the only successful coup d'état in American history, involved the violent overthrow of a legitimately elected biracial government in Wilmington, North Carolina, and its replacement by white supremacists. Daniels used his newspaper, the Raleigh News and Observer, to incite racial hatred and justify the violence that unfolded.

Daniels fundamentally believed that granting African Americans the right to vote was "the greatest folly and crime" in U.S. history. His newspaper actively "championed the white supremacy cause" through a relentless campaign of "frequent news reports, vigorously worded editorials, provocative letters, and vicious front page cartoons that called attention to what the newspaper called the horrors of 'negro rule.'" He cynically argued that as long as African Americans retained any political power, they would inevitably obstruct genuine "progressive reforms" – reforms he envisioned as benefiting only the white population.

His influence proved devastatingly effective in North Carolina. Daniels was highly instrumental in the state legislature's passage of a suffrage amendment in 1900. This amendment, through mechanisms like poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses, effectively disenfranchised the vast majority of Black citizens in North Carolina. This systematic exclusion from the political system persisted for decades, profoundly impacting African American communities until the late 20th century. Beyond the ballot box, African Americans were also systematically excluded from serving on juries and were subjected to rigid, legally enforced racial segregation under Jim Crow laws.

The Paradox of a Southern Progressive

In a striking paradox, Josephus Daniels was also recognized as a leading progressive voice within North Carolina during the early 20th century. He advocated for various social and economic reforms, including strong support for public education and the expansion of public works infrastructure. He also called for greater regulation of powerful trusts and railroad monopolies, aligning with the broader Progressive Era movement. Furthermore, Daniels supported the prohibition of alcohol and championed women's suffrage, utilizing his newspaper to effectively promote these causes and consistently back the regular Democratic Party ticket. However, his brand of progressivism, like that of many Southern contemporaries, was inextricably linked to and often predicated upon the disenfranchisement and subjugation of African Americans, viewing racial control as a necessary condition for societal "progress" within the white community.

Frequently Asked Questions About Josephus Daniels

Who was Josephus Daniels?

Josephus Daniels was a prominent American newspaper editor and publisher, a leading figure in the Democratic Party, and served as Secretary of the Navy during World War I and as Ambassador to Mexico.

What was Daniels' role in the Raleigh News and Observer?

He controlled and edited the Raleigh News and Observer, North Carolina's largest newspaper, for decades, using it as a powerful platform for his political and social views.

How was Josephus Daniels connected to Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Roosevelt served as Daniels' Assistant Secretary of the Navy during WWI. They became close friends, and Roosevelt later appointed Daniels as Ambassador to Mexico during his presidency.

What was Josephus Daniels' stance on race?

He was a vehement white supremacist and segregationist who actively promoted the disenfranchisement of African Americans through his newspaper and political influence.

What was Daniels' role in the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898?

Josephus Daniels was a leading perpetrator of the Wilmington Insurrection, using his newspaper to incite racial hatred and help orchestrate the violent overthrow of the biracial government in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Was Josephus Daniels considered a progressive?

Yes, he supported many progressive reforms like public education, public works, trust regulation, prohibition, and women's suffrage. However, his progressivism was deeply intertwined with and often dependent upon his white supremacist views and the disenfranchisement of African Americans.