From the Archives 92: Hugo Black, Radio Address (1937)

Ipse Dixit

Hugo Lafayette Black (1886-1971) was a politician and judge from Ashland, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1906 and practiced law in Birmingham. In the early 1920s, he joined the Ku Klux Klan, but resigned in 1925. In 1926, he was elected to the United States Senate as a Democrat. He was an ardent supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. However, he opposed federal anti-lynching legislation, and made anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic comments.

On August 12, 1937, President Roosevelt nominated Black to the Supreme Court to replace Associate Justice Willis Van Devanter, who had retired. Traditionally, sitting Senators nominated to judicial positions were immediately confirmed, but Black's nomination was referred to the Judiciary Committee, in part because of his former Klan membership. On August 16, the Committee recommended confirmation, and the Senate confirmed the following day.

On October 1, 1937, Black delivered a radio address on NBC radio from the RCA studio, in order to refute accusations of racism, anti-Catholicism, and anti-Semitism. Among other things, he observed that the Constitution protects religious freedom. And he denied any racial or religious intolerance. He admitted joining the Klan, but stated that he resigned before becoming a Senator, did not consider himself a member of Klan, and repudiated the beliefs of the Klan. He also noted that he had many African-American, Catholic, and Jewish friends.

Black's address is followed by a musical program.

This recording is from the Michigan State University G. Robert Vincent Voice Library collection.

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