Hellraisers Journal: Socialists Party Convention Nominates Eugene Debs, Convict 9653, for President

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Quote EVD, Be True Labor Will Come Into Its Own, OH Sc p1, Nov 5, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday May 16, 1920
New York, New York – Socialists Nominate Convict 9653 for President

From the Washington Herald of May 14, 1920:

CONVICT 2253 MADE NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT
———-
Socialist Convention Delegates in Tears
at Mention Of Eugene V. Debs.
—–

CHEER SOVIET RUSSIA
—–
Stedman, Chicago Lawyer, Running Mate
on “Conservation Platform.”
—–

EVD Lionize Leader of Socialists, WDC Hld p1, May 14, 1920

New York, May 13.-Eugene Victor Debs, convict 2253 [9653] in Federal Prison at Atlanta, where he is serving a ten-year sentence for violation of the espionage act, today was nominated as candidate for President of the United States by the Socialist party convention. Seymour Stedman, of Chicago, attorney and close friend of Debs, was chosen as candidate for Vice President.

Radicals in the convention experienced their second defeat at the hands of the conservatives when an attempt to substitute the left wing platform, declaring for a soviet form of government in the United States, was defeated by a vote of 74 to 55.

Swept by an emotion which brought tears to their eyes, the delegates sprang to their feet at the first mention of the name of Debs, whose nomination was proposed by Edward Henry, of Indiana. For thirty minutes delegates and visitors shouted and gesticulated, sang [the “Internationale”] and cheered…..

[Emphasis added.]

Note: The Herald is using “Convict 2253,” the number given to Debs at Moundsville Prison. When Debs was transferred to Atlanta in June of 1919, he became “Convict 9653.”

From the Washington Herald of May 15, 1920:

EVD Students f Debs for Prz, WDC Hld p5, May 15, 1920

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SOURCES & IMAGES

Quote EVD, Be True Labor Will Come Into Its Own, OH Sc p1, Nov 5, 1919
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/ohio-socialist/092-nov-05-1919-ohio-soc.pdf

Washington Herald
(Washington, District of Columbia)
-May 14, 1920
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045433/1920-05-14/ed-1/seq-1/
-May 15, 1920
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045433/1920-05-15/ed-1/seq-5/

See also:

re “Debs Convict No. 2253”
Debs Goes to Prison
by David Karsner
New York, 1919
https://books.google.com/books?id=j0hYAAAAMAAJ
Chapter 4, Page 41
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=j0hYAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA41

re Transfer to Atlanta
Hellraisers Journal – Sunday June 15, 1919
Atlanta, Georgia – Comrade Debs Now an Inmate at Federal Penitentiary

Eugene V. Debs, Convict 9653
https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/projects/catalog/eugene-debs
http://reuther.wayne.edu/node/12942

EVD 9653 Atlanta Pen, June 14, 1919

Convict 9653, America’s Vision Maker
-by Guy a Aldred
Glasgow, [after d. of Debs, 1926]
https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735061543884/viewer#page/1/mode/2up

Campaign Buttons

Convict 2253
https://historical.ha.com/itm/political/pinback-buttons-1896-present-/eugene-v-debs-early-convict-pin/a/6147-42109.s

Convict 9653
Replica on Sale at Debs Foundation

Socialist Party of America, 1920
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/eam/spa/spadownloads-1920.html

Socialist Party of America, Conventions
-scroll down to #8-1920, New York City, May 8-14, 1920
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/eam/spa/socialistparty.html

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The Internationale – Sing in Solidarity Virtual Choir
Note: In 1920, American Socialists would most likely
be singing the Charles Kerr translation; this wonderful
version from NYC DSA uses that translation-for the most part:
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=X7oQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA10