Vtg 1919 President Eugene Debs Socialist Party Campaign Pinback Button Liberty
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:817305 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
Here we are offering a 1919 vintage Socialist PartyCandidate Eugene Debs Presidential campaign pinback button: one 7/8”For Workers Defence Labor’s Liberty Bond 1919.In the early years of World War I, Debs was often bedridden due to frequent occurrences with exhaustion and sickness. Due to his weakened physical state, which also kept him from running for president in the election of 1916, the Socialist Party of the United States suffered from a lack of leadership. American socialist...s became increasingly divided on the issue of whether the Party should support patriotic preparedness campaigns, favored by Milwaukee socialists including Representative Victor Berger (1860-1929) and Mayor of Milwaukee, Daniel Hoan (1881-1961), or condemn the war effort. Ultimately, the Socialist Party, under the direction of Morris Hillquit (1869-1933), tried to unify itself by presenting an official stance opposing both the war and military conscription.In the Canton speech, Debs was careful to not explicitly call upon his audience to avoid the draft, and even the U.S. Attorney General, Thomas W. Gregory (1861-1933), was unsure if the speech would be enough to successfully prosecute Debs. Nevertheless, government agents arrested Debs and indicted him for violating the Espionage Act. In the case of U.S. v. Debs, the government gathered minimal evidence that Debs’ speech had motivated Americans to avoid conscription; instead prosecutors argued that Debs’ speech represented a threat that could potentially influence Americans to be disloyal. After the prosecution concluded its case, Debs’ defense team called no witnesses on Debs’ behalf, with the exception of Debs himself, who provided an appeal to the jury on 11 September 1918. His infamous appeal stood as a testament to his martyrdom as he proclaimed “I do not fear to face you in this hour of accusation...I can look you in the face, I can look the world in the face, for in my conscience, in my soul, there is no festering accusation of guilt.”After deliberating for six hours, the jury pronounced Debs guilty on three counts, and ruled that he had tried to incite refusal of military service in opposition to United States law. The judge sentenced him to ten years at the Moundsville State Penitentiary in West Virginia.Convict 9653 and the Election of 1920↑After being transferred from Moundsville to the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Debs’ supporters crafted a “jail to the White House” campaign. This included raising a $1 million Campaign and Political Defense Fund for those who supported Liberty but opposed the war. His campaign had a minimal chance of success, as partisanship had split socialists from communists in America, although both factions joined together to cast their ballots for Debs. While the president pardoned some radicals convicted under the Espionage Age (such as Kate Richards O’Hare), President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) refused to grant amnesty to Debs prior to the election. Debs promoted his campaign as a vote for “Convict 9653, ” and tallied over 913, 000 votes, which was the largest number of popular votes earned by a Socialist candidate, even though it was only 3.4 percent of the total votes cast. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) commuted Debs’ sentence to time served.Our postage has increased due to new USPSupdates: 1st Class INTERNATIONAL rates have increased and allINTERNATIONAL items can no longer be shipped as a flat envelope it must beshipped as a package.Allmy items are guaranteed 100% original from the time period stated in thetitle. Please look at my other political items listed on E-Bay. Westrive to make each transaction one of complete satisfaction for our customersand we offer a 100% refund, no hassle return policy. Good Luck!!Combinedshipping: we are always happy to combine shipping with multiple winning bids.Remember collectibleswill have some age. They are sold as is; if you have any questions aboutcondition or you would like additional information, please e-mail me prior tobidding.Worldwidebuyers are welcome. Remember that items are shipped USPS Internationaland once they leave the US, they become part of the buyer's postal service andfinal delivery is dependent on the local postal system - which can includesignificant time clearing customs.
