relative to African Americans As editor of The Banner of the South and later as editor at The Morning Star and Catholic Messenger, Ryan made numerous statements relative to African Americans. For example, Ryan described African Americans in the following ways: While arguing that African Americans should not be allowed to vote, Ryan referred to African Americans as “the vile herd of ignorant Voudooists.” While describing the South’s ongoing difficulties during Reconstruction, Ryan wrote about “the ruin, desolation, and Negro lawlessness which now prevails in the South.” While lamenting the plight of the former white Confederate “Patriot,” Ryan wrote, “The Patriot ... has seen an ignorant and inferior race [African Americans] elevated to political equality with himself and his brethren of the white race.” While describing the Fourth of July in Mobile, Alabama, in 1870, Ryan wrote, “Last Monday, the glorious Fourth was celebrated here – by no one save the Negroes; and even they evinced very little enthusiasm, beyond a march for a few hours, – a few fights, much drinking and now and then a stupid hurrah for – they knew not what. I was delighted to see the Star Spangled Banner upheld by ebony hand and floating over its dear colored children. The flag was in its fitting place; – unworthy now to be borne by the hand of Southern man. ... It is well that it should become the exclusive possession of a race whose rare characteristics are stupidity and ignorance.” While discussing the racial demographics of the South, Ryan refers to African Americans as “the negro element” and to their political strength as “the virus of negro misrule.” Additionally, Ryan described the experience of Slavery in the United States in the following ways: “With African slavery the failure to do the day’s work entailed nothing but a whipping;” and “Negro slavery was fat and sleek, it was well cared for in sickness and old age.” Ryan also responded to the efforts of General Beauregard and others in the Louisiana Unification Movement to bring integration and reconciliation to the South. Ryan wrote: “We protest against that particular resolution of the meeting which endorses and recommends the indiscriminate mingling of white and colored children in the same institutions of education. It is against the custom of the Church in the South. ... Would General Beauregard, who is a Catholic as well as a Southern man, would he