[Bluntpoint]

"The segregation element of the platform, most notably in clauses 4 and 5, were an element of those specific times. While I certainly do not approve of those clauses in the sense of a support of that specific policy, I do defend the right of a state to make laws within its own borders. "

That said, the Dixiecrats led the charge on segregation.

Compare the platform of the Democratic party with the Dixiecrats in 1948, the only real difference is segregation.

States rights, in this instance, was just an excuse to defend the indefensible.

[PresidentDavis]

"States rights, in this instance, was just an excuse to defend the indefensible. "

No, the point is that the states did not delegate away the authority that the federal government was seeking to take.

It's not an issue of which policy you would prefer. The issue is whether or not the federal government had the Constitutional authority to come into a state and change the laws of that state. The Dixiecrats were right in saying that the federal government did not have such authority.