Here is what Senator Lott was proud of in 1948 Mississippi. Check out the offical Democratic Party sample ballot.
(source)
You see it was all about States' Rights. The State's Right to condone lynching of 'Nigras.' If only Strom had won, and Truman's anti-lynching law hadn't passed, we wouldn't be having all these problems. Simple.
Look! John Kerry got a haircut!
From the Dixiecrat Platform, regarding their opposition to the repeal of the poll tax:
The negro is a native of tropical climate where fruits and nuts are plentiful and where clothing is not required for protection against the weather ... The essentials of society in the jungle are few and do not include the production, transportation and marketing of goods. [Thus] his racial constitution has been fashioned to exclude any idea of voluntary cooperation on his part.
[edited to add the words 'repeal of']