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 The National Party Conventions

 


 “The New Rider”
  Cartoonist:  Edward Windsor Kemble
  Source:  Harper's Weekly
  Date:   July 13, 1912, p. 1

Click to see a large version of this cartoon...

Click to see a large version of this cartoon

Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
This Harper’s Weekly cover celebrates the Democratic nomination of Governor Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey for president. The former Princeton professor and university president is shown wearing his academic robe and waving his mortarboard. He confidently rides the galloping Democratic Donkey, whose tail is grasped by the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Governor Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana.

The Democratic Party required a two-thirds majority for nomination, which was more difficult to reach than the Republican Party’s simple majority. The Democratic race in 1912 was close between Wilson and Speaker of the House Champ Clark of Missouri, the frontrunner. In addition, Governor Judson Harmon of Ohio and Congressman Oscar Underwood of Alabama had significant strength, and there were several favorite-son candidates. During the convention balloting, Clark garnered a majority, but was unable to capitalize on it. William Jennings Bryan and the Nebraska delegation switched from Clark to Wilson on the 14th ballot. Wilson’s campaign managers negotiated with various state delegations, bringing them over gradually so that their candidate finally achieved the requisite two-thirds majority for nomination on the 46th ballot. One of their deals acquired the votes of Indiana in exchange for the state’s favorite-son candidate, Marshall, being nominated for vice president.

 

 

 

 
 

 

     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 

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