History of the Dixie Alliance, Inc.

July 2015

In July 2015 Mississippi House Speaker, Philip Gunn (R), joined the chorus of the Left and lukewarm Republicans (including Miss. Senators Thad Chochran and Roger Wicker) in an assault on that part of our Southern Heritage that is linked to the Confederate States of America (C.S.A.).  In our opinion, they joined the chorus, in part at least, as a response to a very intensive agit-prop campaign waged at that time by the major media.  The agit-prop campaign targeted the symbols, monuments and imagery of the C.S.A.  The major news media, as every conservative knows, is a bulwark of the Left in redesigning American culture and law to line-up with the principles of anti-Christian immorality, Big Government and Socialism.  Politicians are justifiably afraid of the Left-wing media, and sometimes even the best of principles give way to fear.  But regardless of the reason …

In Mississippi, the assault on Southern Heritage took form as an assault on our state flag of 1894, which features a Cross of St. Andrews, just as the Confederate battle flag does.  The Left and the lukewarm sought to replace our state flag with another flag, of an undetermined design, despite the fact that the people of Mississippi overwhelming voted to retain the flag in a 2001 ballot-box vote.

August 2015

The Left’s assault on our heritage was very sudden and few expected it; therefore, the reaction by pro-Liberty and pro-South forces was slow to develop.   Not wanting to allow the attack on Mississippi’s flag to go unchallenged, Ray Shores of Bentonia, Mississippi and Walter Trisler of Rayville, Louisiana published a 4-page newsletter.  Mr. Shores’ contribution was entitled, Are You A Rebel?, and Mr. Trisler wrote Rebel Fight on the River, the story of the C.S.S Arkansas which was built in Yazoo City.  The newsletter was inserted into the Yazoo Herald and was eventually distributed by the thousands in various ways across the state.

September 2015

Ross Aldridge, Ray Shores and Vince Thornton met together to create Dixie Alliance.  You can read the mission statement by clicking here.

Fall 2015 through Summer 2016

Mr. Jeppie Barbour of Yazoo City and others began an initiative and referendum process designed to protect the state flag by making it the official flag under the state’s constitution.  The initiative was called I-58 and was officially led by a courageous young man named Rafael Sanchez of McComb, who has been on the advisory committee of Dixie Alliance™ ever since.  Mr. Joe Abbott of McComb was the leader the campaign efforts, and he is also on our advisory committee.

During the year, Dixie Alliance™ published additional titles that were inserted into newspapers and distributed by hand.  Under license from our marketing partner, our publications are now titled the Dixie Banner™.  All of our publications were well received, and thousands of copies were distributed in 2016.

Dixie Alliance™ worked in the I-58 campaign, which after the one-year deadline was reached, did not succeed.  Though it failed, a lot of dedicated people worked very hard and spent a lot of money in the valiant effort.  They deserve a place of honor in the history books and in our hearts.

Despite the failure of I-58, Dixie Alliance™ and many other fine organizations won many friends and allies.  At the Dixie National Rodeo parade, a float entered by the Alliance won a trophy, and everyone had a lot of fun.  Who can forget the big rally at the Capitol and all the fine speeches, especially the one given by Rev. Thomas Winn.  Those who joined the delegation to the office of the Speaker of the House certainly saw and heard things they will never forget! Most importantly, the state flag continued to be the official flag of Mississippi.

Fall 2016

At a meeting of pro-South leaders in Jackson at the War Memorial building, it was agreed that the fight to save the flag would continue.  The group agreed to support a campaign to be spearheaded by the Dixie Alliance™.  Flags Across Mississippi™ was born as a result.  There was some talk of attempting the initiative and referendum process again, but that issued was tabled until a later date following the presidential election, wherein Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.

The Year 2017

Dixie Alliance™ began work with Raymond Shores and Associates, Inc. on the Flags Across Mississippi™ project.  James R. Kennedy, Walter D. Kennedy, and Walt Trisler were added to the Board of Directors.  Plans and work continued.

During this year, pro-heritage leaders did decide to try the initiative and referendum process again.  I-62 got underway late in the year, led by the very capable Southern patriot, Steve Miller, who was a standout leader in the I-58 campaign.  For more on I-62 go to www.FlagVote.com.

Spring 2018

Flags Across Mississippi™ was launched, and Dixie Alliance™ continues to build.  The campaign was launched at the Dixie National Rodeo parade in February.  Six hundred promotional cards and Mississippi flags were distributed to the crowd by our members and friends.  Despite the Left’s allegation that black people dislike the state flag, every black person on the parade route gladly accepted and waved the flags we offered.

A direct mail campaign in conjunction with Initiative 62 was launched in April.  The Dixie Banner™ is the featured item in each mailer, along with an I-62 petition form.  The featured story in the publication explains the economic success Mississippi has experienced since was reconfirmed as the people’s choice in 2001.  In the secondary story, the Political Spectrum chart was presented for the first time; it explains, in part, what we mean when we speak of “the Left”.  Click here to download this edition of the Dixie Banner™.

We shall see what God intends to do for us and through us.  No additional information can be published at this time.