Warren G. Harding letter to Harry M. Daugherty, October 28, 1919

In this letter dated October 28, 1919, Senator Warren Harding writes to his campaign manager Harry Daugherty in response to his letter of October 24, stating that he met with the Republican Committee in regards to relinquishing his role as senator after he announces his presidential candidacy for the 1920 election. This letter 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.October 28, 1919 Mr .H. M. Daugherty Huntington Bank Bldg. Columbus, Ohio My dear Daugherty: Yours of October 24th was dulu received. Indeed it came on the very day that the members of the Committee did me the honor to call in person to discuss the situation with me. I talked the matter over with them quite frankly and reached an informal understanding which I am expecting to cover in a very short time in a formal letter. I hope to get it off in time to be read to the members of the general committee, at its meeting next Friday. I am very grateful to you for your analysis of the situation and glad to have your suggestions. One thing is quite certain, I do not intend to allow the organization, or any part of it, to stand me up in a corner and tell me what I must do. Very truly yours,