 Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee Files
Collection DescriptionBiographical NoteMr. James S. Peters of Manchester, Georgia was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948 and also served as chairman to the Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee from 1940 until he retired in 1954. He also served as chairman to the Georgia State Democratic Convention in Macon, Georgia, in 1940 and 1946. The bulk of this collection covers elections and related events within the Democratic Party that occurred in 1948, 1950, 1952, and 1954 in the State of Georgia and on the national political scene. James Peters's main responsibility as chairman to the Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee was handling correspondence for those requesting to serve on the State Democratic Executive Committee, to attend both state and national conventions, or to attend fundraisers (like the Jefferson/Jackson Dinner) all in support of the Democratic party and its candidates. He also maintained the transcribed proceedings of Georgia State Democratic Party Conventions held in Macon, Georgia, which cover the platform decisions and delegate selection. Peters also maintained correspondence with the Democratic National Headquarters as well as documentation from the 1952 presidential inauguration and speeches he made between 1952 and 1953. Major highlights during this time were the National Democratic Party Conventions of 1948 and 1952. At the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harry S. Truman and Alben W. Barkley were nominated for President and Vice-President, respectively. That year the Democrats supported civil rights, anti-lynching, abolition of the poll tax, the UN, Israel, and reaffirmed New Deal domestic programs. Southerners, however, were upset about the strong civil rights language in the platform, and the entire delegation from Mississippi and half of the Alabama delegates walked out of the convention. These disgruntled Southerners split from the Democratic Party and formed the Dixiecrat Party. They vowed to hold a convention in Birmingham to nominate a states' rights candidate, which they did, nominating Strom Thurmond. Despite the walkout, in the end Truman carried fifty percent of the popular vote in the South and won the election overall. In 1952, Georgia 's own Senator Richard B. Russell sought a nomination for President of the United States. During this time Democrats were sharply divided over issues such as civil rights and organized labor. Senator Russell sought to strengthen Southern Democrats influence that would hopefully lead to a reunification of the Democratic Party. Senator Russell described himself as a "Jeffersonian Democrat," and he believed in local self-government, a strong military defense system, and careful public spending. However, Senator Russell's lack of support for big issues such as civil rights and organized labor, plus his regional image, cost him the Democratic primary. It was at the same 1952 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, that Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson and running mate Senator John J. Sparkman of Alabama won the Democratic nomination. Stevenson appealed to the more liberal, intellectual side of the Democratic Party, but this same appeal also served to alienate him from other members of his party. Stevenson's Republican opponents were General Dwight Eisenhower and running mate Richard Nixon (who during this time gave his infamous "Checkers Speech"). Eisenhower went on to win the presidential election with 55 percent of the popular vote and by a landslide in the Electoral College. Scope and ContentThese records are comprised of bound volumes that contain correspondence, newspaper clippings, proceedings, and membership lists reflecting the activities of the Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee from 1940 to 1954. Conventions, delegate selection, and primaries are the main focus of the materials. In addition, the 1952 Stevenson/Sparkman national campaign for the presidency is well documented as well as Georgia 's support of Senator Richard B. Russell. Organization and ArrangementThis collection is organized in eight series: I. Administration, II. Correspondence, III. Campaigns, IV. National Democratic Party Conventions, V. State Democratic Party Conventions, VI. Democratic Primaries, VII. Inauguration, and VIII. Speeches. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationGeorgia State Democratic Executive Committee Files, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641. Processing Information noteThese records were donated as bound volumes organized by the creator. User RestrictionsLibrary acts as "fair use" reproduction agent. Copyright InformationBefore material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original. Finding Aid PublicationFinding aid prepared on: 2008. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in this Repository
Robert M. Willingham Democratic Party of Georgia Files Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection Democratic Party of Georgia Records Related Collections in Other RepositoriesStrom Thurmond Papers, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina Adlai Stevenson Papers, Seely G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey John J. Sparkman Papers, W. S. Hoole Special Collections, University of Alabama Harry S. Truman Papers, Truman Presidential Museum and Library, Independence, Missouri Alben W. Barkley Papers, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky | ||||||||||||||||||||