William Upshaw

William Upshaw was a U.S. Representative from Georgia who served four terms in Congress from 1919 to 1927. A member of the Democratic Party, he was known for his staunch advocacy of the temperance movement, earning him the moniker "the driest of the drys." Upshaw's political career was marked by his controversial support for the Ku Klux Klan, as well as his opposition to federal anti-lynching legislation. After leaving Congress, he continued to engage in public life as a minister and a candidate for various political offices, including a run for the presidency in 1932 on the Prohibition Party ticket.

Early life and career

William Upshaw was born on October 15, 1866, in Georgia. He received his early education in public schools in Atlanta before attending Mercer University, where he completed his studies. Following his graduation, Upshaw entered the workforce, initially engaging in agriculture and later working as a merchant in his father's business. His life took a significant turn in 1895 when he suffered a serious accident that left him with a debilitating back injury. For seven years, he relied on a wheelchair for mobility, but he gradually regained some ability to walk with the aid of crutches. Despite improvements in his condition, he continued to use crutches regularly, which led to some controversy during his political career, with opponents suggesting that he used them to garner sympathy from voters.

Upshaw's political involvement began with his commitment to the prohibition movement. In 1906, he became the vice president of the Georgia Anti-Saloon League, an organization dedicated to promoting the prohibition of alcohol. His efforts contributed significantly to the passage of statewide prohibition in Georgia in 1907, making it the first state in the Southern United States to adopt such measures. The prohibition movement was closely intertwined with the rise of the second Ku Klux Klan, which emerged in the 1920s and sought to enforce prohibition laws. Upshaw's alignment with these movements would shape his political identity and influence his actions in Congress.

House tenure

William Upshaw was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1919, representing Georgia's 5th Congressional District. He succeeded incumbent Democrat William S. Howard, who retired to pursue a Senate seat. Upshaw ran unopposed in the general election, reflecting his strong support within the Democratic Party and his district. Throughout his four terms in Congress, which lasted until 1927, he became known for his vigorous support of both prohibition and the Ku Klux Klan.

During his tenure, Upshaw defended the Klan during congressional investigations into its activities, expressing pride in the organization, which had origins in his congressional district. He suggested that the focus on the Klan should extend to other secret societies, indicating his belief in the Klan's legitimacy and importance. Despite allegations of being a member of the Klan, Upshaw consistently denied these claims, although internal Klan communications suggested otherwise. His public support for the Klan and its activities ultimately became a liability in his political career.

In 1922, Upshaw took a strong stance against a federal anti-lynching bill, making several speeches that included racially charged remarks and emphasized states' rights. His opposition to federal intervention in matters related to the Klan and lynching positioned him as a key figure in the political landscape of the time. However, this alignment with controversial issues contributed to challenges in his reelection efforts. In 1926, he faced a primary election opponent who effectively linked him to scandals involving the Klan, which had begun to tarnish its reputation. Additionally, allegations surfaced regarding Upshaw's financial ties to the Anti-Saloon League, further complicating his campaign. Ultimately, he lost the primary election and was unable to secure the Democratic nomination for a fifth term in Congress.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in Congress, Upshaw was an advocate for the establishment of a United States Department of Education, emphasizing the need to eliminate what he perceived as alien influences, such as Bolshevism, from public education. His efforts in this area were part of a broader agenda that sought to shape educational policy in line with his values and beliefs. Upshaw's colorful personality and distinctive style earned him the nickname "the Billy Sunday of Congress," a reference to the famous evangelist known for his dynamic preaching.

Upshaw's political career continued after his departure from Congress in 1927. He was elected as a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, serving two terms while making attempts to reestablish his political career. In 1932, he ran for the presidency as the Prohibition Party candidate, finishing fifth in a race dominated by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and other prominent candidates. His campaign reflected his ongoing commitment to the principles of prohibition, even as public sentiment began to shift against such measures.

In the years that followed, Upshaw relocated to California, where he engaged in various activities, including lecturing, writing, and serving as a Christian evangelist. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1938 at the age of 72 and became involved with a Bible college and seminary in San Diego. His later years were marked by a mix of religious and community service, including an attempt to establish an orphanage in collaboration with a prominent KKK member, which ended in scandal.

Despite the controversies that marked his political career, Upshaw remained a figure of interest in American politics and society. In the final months of his life, he claimed to have experienced a miraculous healing that allowed him to walk unaided, a claim he shared with members of Congress. William Upshaw passed away on November 21, 1952, leaving behind a complex legacy shaped by his advocacy for prohibition, his controversial associations, and his enduring commitment to his beliefs.