Sold – William McKinley Thanks Illinois’ Republican Senator for His Crucial Support

"I assure you that I am very proud of the magnificent majority given by your state.”.

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The 1896 election was one of the watershed elections in American history. Previously, presidential candidates maintained the fiction that they were being called to service and were not actively seeking the office themselves. They thus appeared “presidential” while their campaigns slugged it out with the opposition.

Democrat William Jennings Bryan...

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Sold – William McKinley Thanks Illinois’ Republican Senator for His Crucial Support

"I assure you that I am very proud of the magnificent majority given by your state.”.

The 1896 election was one of the watershed elections in American history. Previously, presidential candidates maintained the fiction that they were being called to service and were not actively seeking the office themselves. They thus appeared “presidential” while their campaigns slugged it out with the opposition.

Democrat William Jennings Bryan shattered the mold and became the first candidate to go directly to the people, making nationwide speaking tours. He criss-crossed the U.S. by railroad, orating from the back of his train at all hours of the day and night. Bryan's imposing voice and bearing made a deep impression on the throngs who heard him. In the south and west, Bryan supporters welcomed him with parades, speeches, and wild demonstrations of support. Many observers believed Bryan was the frontrunner. The Republicans innovated also.

William McKinley was nominated on June 18, 1896, and under the tutelage of manager Mark Hanna, became the first candidate whose campaign used modern marketing methods. However, rather than go on the campaign trail, the candidate himself followed precedent and received visitors at his home in Canton, Ohio. Multitudes of party loyalists, friends and the just plain curious journeyed to see McKinley, who, addressing the crowds from his porch, promised a return to good times if Republicans took office. This was the famous "front porch campaign." In any national campaign, it is crucial to line up supporters around the country to drum up interest and get out the vote. Shelby M. Cullom had been governor of Illinois and then served as its U.S. Senator from 1883-1913. With a Democrat in the Illinois governor’s chair, Cullom was the head of the Republican Party in his state, and would have been responsible for making sure that McKinley carried it. He did a commendable job, as McKinley garnered 607,130 votes to Bryan’s 464,632. Just two days after being elected president, McKinley wrote to Cullom, thanking him for his assistence.

 Typed Letter Signed on his personal letterhead, Canton, Ohio, November 6, 1896, to Cullom, whom he addresses as “My Dear Senator Cullom.” “I beg that you accept my warmest thanks for your telegram of hearty congratulations. I assure you that I am very proud of the magnificent majority given by your state.”

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