Harry M. Daugherty before Republican State Central and Advisory Committees speech, October 1919

This speech was given by Harry M. Daugherty, Senator Warren G. Harding's campaign manager, before the Republican State Central and Advisory Committees in Ohio in October 1919. The committees were concerned with supporting Harding's nomination for re-election as a U.S. Senator should he not be chosen as the Republican nominee. However, after Daugherty's presentation, the committees drafted a resolution stating that should Harding not be selected as the party's candidate, his prospects of re-election as a senator would be unaffected. This speech is part of the Warren G. Harding Papers (MSS 345). This collection includes correspondence, business records, and other materials documenting Harding’s business career as owner and editor-in-chief of The Daily Marion Star, as well as the various stages of his political career. A significant portion of the collection, and what’s available on Ohio Memory, highlights his 1920 presidential campaign, spanning just before publicly announcing his candidacy to handily defeating Ohio Governor James M. Cox in the election. Correspondents include both Ohio and national businessmen, political figures, and ordinary citizens writing with questions, support, congratulatory notes, and campaign advice. Some of the most interesting insights into the tumultuous political climate in the U.S., the extreme factionalism within the Republican Party in Ohio, and Harding’s campaign strategies are described in letters between Harding and his campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty. Some of the topics addressed include women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the League of Nations, African American representation and issues, and lingering peace negotiations following World War I