[Democratic Convention]
Baltimore, Maryland
Woodrow Wilson arrived at the Convention, and had a plan on how he would seize many of the delegate’s votes. He’d managed to secure many key votes in States such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Yet, Champ Clark had managed to tie Wilson, even though Clark was sitting back and seemingly not caring about his nomination. Champ Clark used the forces of Tammany Hall to swing the New York primary and delegation over to him. Yet, this gave Wilson a powerful ace up his sleeve.
Newton Baker paved the way for Wilson’s victory in the Ohio primary and support in the delegation. He encouraged many delegates in the States of the Rust Belt to sway their votes towards Wilson, someone who was willing to make progressive reforms and help out their States in individual ways. As well as support the working class man of the factories and the mines.
Senator John Thornton of Louisiana allowed for Wilson to have a solid foothold in the Deep South. Even though more conservative than Wilson, Senator Thornton would attempt to sway the Louisiana delegation and primaries to vote for Wilson, as he went and visited the State. Wilson promised Senator Thornton a position as head of one of the U.S. departments, which one was uncertain. In addition, Wilson promised to stop the high poverty rates that plague Louisiana, and grant federal aid to farmers to help them recover from disasters or from going completely broke.
Governor Simeon Eben Baldwin of Connecticut didn’t officially endorse Wilson as of yet, but agreed to sway the Connecticut delegates his direction. Woodrow Wilson promised Governor Baldwin a position as the next Secretary of State if Wilson was to win. An offer like this was difficult to choose, and with Champ Clark deciding to not campaign himself, Governor Baldwin was in a position to sway the results of the primaries not just in the State of Connecticut, but also the rest of New England as well.
By far the most important man of the Convention was former Representative William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska. In Omaha, Wilson had a long discussion with Bryan about his endorsement, with Bryan deciding to remain neutral. Wilson was very persuasive however, and Bryan told Wilson that he would very much consider him if the competition was bad enough. As expected, upon Champ Clark receiving the Tammany Hall endorsement, Bryan had instantly threw his support to Woodrow Wilson. Seeing Clark as a corrupt politician, who’s not interested in actually winning the election, William Jennings Bryan officially condemned Clark and supported the far more active and progressive Wilson. Bryan’s endorsement would be the key to winning much of the Western and remaining progressive States, as well as many others loyal to Bryan.
Mr. John Walsh, an relative unknown within the Democratic Party, stood up to give the nominating speech:
“Mr. Chairman and gentleman of the Convention, ladies and gentlemen who are currently listening to the Convention, I am most honored to be authorized by the delegation from the proud State of Wisconsin to ask for your indulgence so I may give my speech to the good people of the Convention. The only real issues present in the presidential primary were the election of the Convention’s delegates and that of a Presidential preference. It was revealed compassionately that the State of Wisconsin desires Woodrow Wilson as the Presidential nominee.
“My great State, Wisconsin, is a State blessed with a multitude of gracious memories and plentiful resources. Our people are in good health, have decent earnings, and non can call themselves illiterate. The people strive for education that will improve the social and economic conditions. Wisconsin has enacted many progressive reforms and laws that anger big businesses. The people of Wisconsin are a fearless and determined people, who will do anything to better themselves, their families, and their State. Yet, we still face many issues that plague not only my State, but the nation as a whole. These issues require strong leadership to help get the necessary legislation to solve these. In its current State, the Democratic Party does not have the strong leadership needed. People turn to the Democratic Party with the hope of a united and strong leadership, but instead they see a weak and divided party. Split between more conservative and progressive ideals, the Democratic Party has not won the White House since the Cleveland Era, and even then it was short and divisive. What we need is a strong leader, who can appeal to both sides of the isle and give us the united and reformist leadership we’ve been needing for decades.
“Today, Governor Woodrow Wilson typifies more than any man in public life, enacting progressive reforms, for making life more equal in his home State, and for protecting those who are poor and weak from those who are rich and strong. He is above all a Democrat of instinct and temperament, who has understood the good welfare and need for a proper quality of life for all citizens. The time calls for such strong and dedicated leadership, as none of the other Democratic Candidates are willing to campaign even close to what Governor Wilson has done. We ask for you to take Wisconsin out of the Republican Column, and Woodrow Wilson is the man do do this. We have suffered through defeat and defeat for far too long. Wilson is the son of the Old South, a progressive in the conservative East, and with a reputation that appeals to the great West and Northwest, all true Democrats can and will rally to his cause. We call upon the united brotherhood and patriotism of the Democratic Party to rally behind Governor Wilson. Wisconsin joins hands with her widely separated sister States of New Jersey and California in nominating Woodrow Wilson. For these reasons, I obey the command of the delegation of Wisconsin I’m seconding the nomination of the fearless statesman, the staunch Democrat, the brilliant scholar, and the peerless progressive, Woodrow Wilson.”
A thunderous applause can be heard from across the Convention hall, and even throughout the city of Baltimore itself.
