The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945 Page: 179
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Wilson Movement in Texas, 1910-1912
dous task of promotion fell to Cato Sells, Gregory, and Love,
who labored indefatigably for three months to perfect and re-
inforce the organization. Of course, the Wilson managers ex-
perienced moments of despondency. At times it appeared that
their labors would come to naught.38 But their job was excellent-
ly executed. Their extreme care that trustworthy lieutenants in
city and county would "bring out the votes" and capture the
local conventions paid rich dividends when the issue was final-
ly decided. In short, the Texas Wilson men organized the most
enthusiastic and successful Wilson state campaign in the coun-
try.89
The support that Governor Wilson received from several
Texans in Congress greatly enhanced his chances of success
in the Lone Star State. On the day that Governor Judson Har-
mon of Ohio invaded Texas for a whirlwind campaign of the
state, four members of the Texas delegation in the House of
Representatives-Rufus Hardy, W. R. Smith, Robert L. Henry,
and Albert S. Burleson-issued an address to the Democrats
of their state, explaining the reasons for their faith in Woodrow
Wilson.40 Senator Culberson, however, three days later struck
the most effective blow for Wilson. Culberson, the legatee of
the Hogg tradition, had a great influence over Texas Demo-
crats. He had received at their hands every political honor he
had desired, and his opinions dominated the thinking of thou-
of Colonel House, 4 vols. (New York and Boston, 1926-1928), I, 57ff.,
states that House was almost entirely responsible for the success
of the Texas Wilson movement. The myth of Colonel House was consid-
erably exaggerated by Arthur D. Howden Smith's Mr. House of Texas
(New York and London, 1940) which attributes all good things of the
Wilson administration to House's influence. Colonel House played a minor,
almost inconsequential role in the Texas campaign. I cannot see but that
the results would have been exactly the same regardless of whether House
aided Wilson. This is the position shared by several of the chief cam-
paigners. Love, for example, wrote that "It is the simple truth to say
that Colonel House's influence and contribution were in no way decisive
of the result. It is certain that Texas would have gone as it did if Colonel
House had never supported Woodrow Wilson." Love to Ray S. Baker,
June 7, 1928, Baker Papers. Burleson once remarked that although he
had a tender affection for House, the egotism of his book paralyzed him.
Burleson to Baker, interview, March 17-19, 1927, ibid.
3sThis apprehension is expressed by Gregory in a letter to Burleson
of May 4, 1912, Albert S. Burleson Papers (Manuscripts in the Library
of Congress).
"3The Wilson leaders in Texas spent less than $2,000-probably $1,500-
all of which was contributed by Texas Democrats. Thomas B. Love to
Edward M. House, May 5, 1912, Edward M. House Papers (Manuscripts
in the Library of Yale University); hereinafter cited as House Papers.
40Dallas Morning News, April 25, 1912.179
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945, periodical, 1945; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146055/m1/197/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.