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Chapter 33: The Nolan Presidency (1949-1955) - Part 2
SHOTS FIRED AT PRESIDENT AFTER ADDRESS, NON-FATAL WOUND REPORTED
FRANKLIN - As the President was leaving a dinner last night at the American Museum of History, an unknown assailant who is believed to be in custody opened fire, wounding the president and two members of the Presidential Guard, and killing a third. At the time of press, the government has not released specific details about the condition of the president or details about the shooter, but we know that the president is alive and that the wound is reportedly not fatal, according to an unnamed source at the Franklin-area hospital that received the president. Vice President Priest is also reported to be returning to the capital from a visit to his home state of Arkansas, believed to be a precautionary measure.
“Shots Fired at President After Address, Non-Fatal Wound Reported,” Brooklyn Standard, January 25, 1953.
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NOLAN RECOVERING AFTER SURGERY, VP PRIEST WILL TAKE ON SOME DUTIES
FRANKLIN - Following surgery needed after receiving a shot to the shoulder and another to his upper arm, President Nolan is recovering at St. Basil Hospital in the capital and is reported to be doing quite well. Washington House issued a statement yesterday saying that the President is expected to be discharged from the hospital’s care in a matter of days, and should be back to business within ten days or less. Until then, Vice President Priest has been given some of the President’s ceremonial duties, but the cabinet voted not to make Priest acting President.
The capital remains rattled, with police and the Presidential Guard remaining on high alert. The shooter, Tae-Young No, an immigrant from Choson, remains in Federal Security Service custody. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and the FSS have refused to give out any details about possible motives at this time.
“Nolan Recovering After Surgery, VP Priest Will Take on Some Duties,” St. Louis Courier, January 27, 1953.
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WOULD-BE ASSASSIN HAS CHINESE TIES
FRANKLIN - FSS Director Tomas Horton announced yesterday that Security Service has completed its preliminary investigation into the motives of shooter Tae-Young No, who tried to assassinate President Nolan. According to investigators, No, who immigrated to the United States in 1948 from Choson. During the war, his family was killed, and afterwards the FSS believe that No was radicalized by Chinese operatives seeking to bring all of Choson into the Chinese Empire. No and other young Chosonese belong to a group known as Truth is Freedom, which claims that the troubles in Choson are really the fault of the United States, and that if America hadn’t been involved in Asia that Choson wouldn’t have been devastated by war and wouldn’t be divided. No wrote out a letter prior to the attack on the President, where he claims that he decided to seek revenge for his family and his country by killing Nolan, who he believes is creating more tension between China and North America. No will appear in court next week on formal charges.
“Would-Be Assassin Has Chinese Ties,” Chicago Herald, February 10, 1953.
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It took months to confirm that Tae-Young No was assisted in his attack on President Nolan by the Chinese-backed group Truth is Freedom after No was charged with the attempted murder of Nolan, but once that did happen, “Yellow Scare” swept across the continent. Anti-Asian sentiment had already been high ever since the detonation of the first Chinese sun-bomb in 1951, but the attack on Nolan took things to new heights. Chinese businesses up and down the West Coast were destroyed. Dozens of people of various Asian backgrounds were reportedly murdered as well, though some estimates put that number much higher.
This hysteria wasn’t limited to the West Coast, nor was it limited to just the average citizen. Governments succumbed to the panic as well. California’s parliament passed a ban on all new immigration from China, and both the United States and California passed strict caps on immigration from China, Choson, and Japan. Such actions were also debated by the NAU’s Council, but Texas and Mexico refused to support such actions. Hawaii’s parliament debated similar actions as well, but with those of Asian ancestry making up a large plurality of the population, such measures were defeated.
Government action was not just limited to restrictions on immigration. In the Summer of 1953, President Nolan ordered an increase in troops to both Japan and Choson, the first such increase since the end of the Global War in 1938. And China didn’t sit idly by. In August of 1953, the Chinese Imperial Navy conducted massive war games off the coast of Japan and the Philippines, putting everyone on edge. As the Fall of 1953 approached, many people feared that out and out war between North America and China was on the horizon.
Jaeger, Peter. Shots Fired: The Attack on President Nolan and the Crisis of 1953. Astoria: Columbia River Press, 1987.
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PRESIDENT NOLAN CONFIRMS SUN-BOMB TEST: THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!
FRANKLIN - Last night, in a rare, specially called joint-session of Congress, President Nolan announced that the NAU’s joint effort to build an American sun-bomb has come to fruition, with the first successful test taking place two days ago in the deserts of Eastern California. “China no longer is alone in the ability to wield the power of the sun. The North American Union can now answer back with the same ferocity.” The President also stated that the tested bomb was not the only device that the NACDC has created. “This first bomb test is not our only bomb. There is more where that one came from, I can guarantee you that!”
A spokesperson from the State Department said that the administration hopes that with this announcement, North America and China can start to de-escalate the tension that has been building since the assassination attempt against the president this past January.
“President Nolan Confirms Sun-Bomb Test: There’s More Where That Came From!” Franklin Observer, September 7, 1953.
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LONDON CONFERENCE OPENS - IMPERIAL COMMONWEALTH TO BE DISCUSSED
LONDON - King William V officially opened the London Imperial Conference at Whitehall Palace, welcoming leaders from all of the British Dominions and Colonies. This conference was organized by the British monarch and by Prime Minister Henrietta Dudley, with the hopes of discussing the creation of an Imperial Commonwealth, which would create an Imperial Parliament and give greater home rule to colonies. It remains to be seen whether or not this proposal will get the assent of the leaders of the British Empire. The idea is less popular in Borealia, which already sees itself more connected to its American neighbors than with the rest of the British Empire.
“London Conference Opens - Imperial Commonwealth to be Discussed,” Manhattan Gazette, October 5, 1953.
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The First Imperial Conference at London in October of 1953 laid out the framework to create what would become the British Imperial Commonwealth. At its core would be an end to colonialism, making all existing colonies into “Commonwealth States,” territories that would be independent to pursue all local affairs so long as they adhered to a common set of rights that would be guaranteed to all imperial citizens. An imperial parliament would also be created, with representatives elected from every Commonwealth State and from every Dominion. The Commonwealth would pursue a common foreign policy and defence policy. Dominions would continue to have their own separate foreign and defense ministries, while Commonwealth States would be part of a unified Imperial Armed Forces.
The proposal gained wide popularity in the colonies, and was overall welcomed in Britain and Australia. India was more mixed, as was South Africa. In Borealia, much to the consternation of Borealian Prime Minister Patricia Meeker, the proposal was met with much negativity. Opposition leader Thomas Mendenhall from the Federation Party was a particularly outspoken critic, saying often at political rallies that “Borealia’s future is with our fellow Americans across this continent, not with tying ourselves down with the outdated and far-flung Empire.” At the end of the conference, it was decided to have a second conference to delve further into the proposal after giving leaders from across the empire more time to fully discuss and debate the issue. A new conference would meet in Australia in 1954.
Cherry, Dr. Mathilda. God Save Our Commonwealth. London: Imperial Publishers, 2012.
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VICE PRESIDENT PRIEST ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
COLUMBUS, OH - At a rally in the capital of Ohio, Vice President Timothy Priest announced that he will seek his party’s nomination for the Presidency in next year’s election. Most political pundits agree that the 1954 presidential race will be hotly contested and a close one. Priest will be running to protect and continue the policies of President Nolan, while the Liberals and Communalists (and possibly even the Federalists) will all be vying to put a permanent close to the Nolan Era. It remains unclear at this point if the vice president will have any serious competition for the Nationalist nomination. Some wonder whether or not Oregon representative Herschel Morton might be able to mount a successful run. He is seen as more moderate than Nolan and Priest, and therefore more likely to draw in undecided or unaffiliated voters over to vote for him.
“Vice President Priest Announces Candidacy,” St. Louis Courier, November 10, 1953.
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The 1954 race for Washington House seemed wide open when the primaries began in January of that year. Liberals and Communalists were very hopeful that they could unseat the Nationalists from power, not only with the presidency but also in Congress. Nationalists hoped to continue on the course set by President Nolan. And the Federalists...they just hoped to survive as a party. The issues of the election were wide-ranging too, from China and weapon’s policy to the growing clash between those supporting the homophilic rights movement and those who wanted to maintain more conservative values.
The forerunner of the Nationalist race of course was Vice President Timothy Priest of Arkansas, who was also the first candidate in the 1954 race to declare his candidacy. Priest was a known quantity and fairly popular among Nationalist voters, and was clearly seen as the successor to President Nolan. Despite this, other members of the Nationalist Party did put their hat into the ring and tried to challenge Priest, most notably Representative Herschel Morton of Oregon, who campaigned on being a moderate in a hope to be more attractive to a broader audience. The broader appeal might have helped Morton in the actual election, but in the primaries he couldn’t compete as well against Priest.
The Liberals had three major contenders for their nomination: Mayor Neil Phillips of Boston, Representative Katherine Potter of Oregon, and Governor Hannah Banks of Louisiana. Potter and Banks were both party purist, and wanted a distinct divide between themselves and the Communalists, a point of view that was becoming less popular among the party rank-and-file. Phillips, by contrast, was a popular figure in Communalist-leaning Boston, and had a good working relationship with Liberal and CPUS figures in Massachusetts and in Congress, and was pulling ahead by the end of February of 1954. Banks bowed out before the March primaries, leaving Phillips and Potter to battle it out for their party’s support.
As was typical of the CPUS, there was a stronger consensus among members and party leaders, with only two major contenders: Indiana Governor Georgina Lincoln, and New York Representative Vance Granger. This race would end up coming down to experience. Granger had been in Congress for almost two decades, whereas Lincoln had only been in office since 1950, despite coming from a politically active family. Experience would win out in the end.
Few believed, and rightly so, that the Federalists had any chance of winning the presidency. The party was at their lowest point in over a century, and many openly wondered if the party would dissolve. Despite this, Senator Zachary Smith of Connecticut and Mayor Alexander Hughes of New Orleans both sought to represent their party in the November election. Turnout of Federalist voters in most primaries were low, as party registration had dropped considerably nation wide in the past two decades leading up to the 1954 election.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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SYDNEY CONFERENCE OPENS TO DISCUSS BRITISH COMMONWEALTH
SYDNEY - After several months of public debate across the British Empire, leaders from every colony and dominion have gathered in Sydney, the capital of the Dominion of Australia, to discuss the proposed “Imperial Commonwealth” for a second time. King William V made the journey to the Land Down Under for the second time in his reign, opening this conference with a few thoughts of his own, saying, “The British Empire is at a crossroads. If it is to continue, it must evolve. That is what we must decide upon here at this gathering.” Sources close to the British sovereign say that William V remains optimistic that this proposal will be supported by the empire and that this change, which the king has reportedly called “the most important change to ever face the British civilization,” will help the empire continue to grow and thrive into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Australians are mostly in support of the plan, and India seems to be warming to the idea as well. South Africa remains somewhat divided, however, and Borealia still does not seem in favor, despite support from Prime Minister Meeker. Back in Britain, estimates are that roughly two-thirds of the populace support the proposed commonwealth, despite detractors who say that this will diminish the importance of Britain itself.
“Sydney Conference Opens to Discuss British Commonwealth,” Franklin Observer, February 3, 1954.
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BOREALIA WILL NOT COMMIT TO NEW COMMONWEALTH WITHOUT REFERENDUM
SYDNEY - The Borealian delegates to the imperial conference in Britain announced yesterday that the Kingdom will not commit to join the new British Imperial Commonwealth, which was approved of by vote of the Imperial Conference earlier this week, until a referendum can be held to allow the citizens of the British Empire’s oldest dominion a chance to voice their opinion on the matter. Australia, India, and South Africa have all agreed to the plan. There is some fear that if Boralia will not join the new structure of the empire, that the whole project will fall apart, leaving the future of the British Empire as a whole in doubt. If the realm’s oldest dominion rejects the new imperial relationship being crafted, what will prevent other dominions or colonies from doing the same?
“Borealia Will Not Commit to New Commonwealth Without Referendum,” Chicago Herald, February 24, 1954.
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10TH NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENS IN LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES, RoC - Californian Chancellor Frederick Thomason welcomed his counterparts from the other nations of the North American Union in the California Republic’s second largest city for the opening of the 10th North American conference, the first to be held since the creation of the North American Union. While the docket it full of several proposals for ways to improve the overall structure of the Union, the key focus will be on relations with China, and how to best coordinate that testy and often sour relationship. Tensions stabilized last fall after it was announced that the North American Continental Defense Command had been able to successfully test a sun-bomb, checking Chinese sabre rattling, but things are far from cordial. President Nolan has proposed the creation of a combined diplomatic effort to try and smooth things over with China, something that also seems to be generally popular in California and Hawaii as well.
Observers will also be paying attention to the Borealian Prime Minister and her delegation as well. Patricia Meeker has only recently returned from Sydney, where the leaders of the British Empire voted to restructure into a new Commonwealth, making most of the territories and colonies equals in relationship to one another. Many Borealians have expressed displeasure at being pulled both towards their neighbors in North America and their cousins across the British-colonized lands, and believe the country should “pick a side.”
“10th North American Conference Opens in Los Angeles,” Astoria Herald, April 5, 1954.
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NAU COMMITS TO PEACE TALKS WITH CHINA
LOS ANGELES, RoC - After many back and forth talks, the leaders of the North American Union have voted to send a special combined peace envoy to meet with China, preferably on neutral ground if possible. A commission will be appointed with members from each nation in the Union, and will have the authority to make formal agreements with China on behalf of all member states. Texan President Gloria Lopez had proposed setting up a permanent foreign relations office for the Union, but the United States, California, and Mexico all balked at this idea. The NAU-China Commission is being billed as a compromise that has enough power but a more limited scope that will please the whole of the Union.
“NAU Commits to Peace Talks with China,” St. Louis Courier, April 20, 1954.
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CPUS CONFIRMS REP. GRANGER AS CANDIDATE
VANDALIA - At their annual Party Congress, held this time in the capital of Illinois, the Communalist Party of the United States has voted to make New York Representative Vance Granger as their nominee for the presidency. Joining Granger on the CPUS ticket will be Indiana Governor Georgina Lincoln, who closely trailed Granger during most of the primary season. Granger is seen as having a real shot at defeating both the nationalist candidate (likely Vice President Timothy Priest), and also the Liberal Party candidate (still a toss up between Mayor Phillips of Boston and Representative Katherine Potter of Oregon). If so, Granger would become the first Communalist president in U.S. history.
“CPUS Confirms Rep. Granger as Candidate,” Manhattan Gazette, May 10, 1954.
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CHINA AGREES TO TALKS WITH NAU
XIAN - Chinese Foreign Minister Tu Fan announced yesterday that his government will be willing to meet with Special Councilor Benjamin McCormick of the NAU-China Commission to discuss future relations between North America and the Chinese Empire, in hopes of easing tensions and restoring normalcy to the world-wide diplomatic order. Minister Fan has proposed a few locations that may work as neutral ground for these talks, including Trans-Siberia and the Kingdom of Vietnam. Although not included in the formal statement, sources in the Chinese Court have said that it is likely that the government will want to hold off on having any official talks until after the U.S. presidential elections and a new president is in office.
“China Agrees to Talks with NAU,” Franklin Observer, May 27, 1954.
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QUESTIONS OF FUTURE HANGS OVER FEDERALIST CONVENTION
HARTFORD - Senator Zachary Smith of Connecticut has been confirmed as the party’s candidate for the November election, and New Orleans Mayor Alexander Hughes will be his running mate. However, the bulk of the convention has not been focused on the party’s candidates or platform, but on the mere future existence of the party. Federalists have been on a severe decline ever since the 1948 election, and have shown little sign of real improvement. And unlike in 1840, the last time the future of the party was brought into question, the party isn’t entrenched in any one region of the country anymore, the way it was a century ago when New England was solid Federalist territory. Now Federalists exist in pockets scattered across the country, making it harder for them to make noticeable gains.
No official decision was made, but most party members left with the consensus that if the results of this election were poor, a post-election convention would be called and dissolution of the party would be seriously discussed. There is a fear that if the party has become so small an irrelevant, continued existence might only harm the country.
“Questions of Future Hangs Over Federalist Convention,” Brooklyn Standard, June 20, 1954.
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OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN IN TOKYO, FIRST IN ASIA
TOKYO - Japanese President Kyoshi Nakatani welcomed in the world for the Eleventh World Olympics, the first held in Asia since the games began in 1910. 5,212 athletes marched into Harmony Stadium, as nearly 75,000 people cheered on from the stands. The Japanese Olympic Committee put on an amazing show celebrating local culture, with thousands of performers dancing on the stadium floor, along with spectacular light shows capped by a fireworks display. China and the United States both remain favorites for top nation, and beyond that it seems to be an open field.
Since tensions have stabilized between China and America, which Japan remains an ally of, the welcome the Chinese athletes got was not as cool as it might have been if these games had been held six months or a year ago. As things are, there was still a noticeable drop in volume when the athletes from Japan’s western neighbor entered the stadium during the parade of nations.
“Olympic Games Open in Tokyo, First in Asia,” New Orleans Star, July 2, 1954.
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CHINA TAKES FIRST IN TOKYO GAMES
TOKYO - Taking 54 gold medals, the athletes of the Chinese Empire took overall first place in the medal count in the Tokyo Games, beating out the United States by 12 medals. In third place, in a surprise, was the Russian Republic, winning 19 gold medals. In a surprising move, the Japanese government has given an invitation to the Chinese Prime Minister to attend the closing ceremonies in celebration of China’s success. This will mark the first high-profile visit of any Chinese official to Japan since the end of the Global War. Many hope that this is yet another sign that the political and diplomatic situation in Asia might be improving.
“China Takes First in Tokyo Games,” Boston Eagle, July 16, 1954.
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LIBS PROMISE PRESIDENTIAL FIGHT AS THEY NOMINATE MAYOR PHILLIPS
BROOKLYN - The Liberal Party has confirmed the nomination of Mayor Neil Phillips as their presidential candidate, with Oregon Representative Katherine Potter as his running mate. The Liberal Party is positioning itself as the chief rival to Vice President Priest and the Nationalists, not focusing on the Communalists. “We cannot handle a second Nolan Administration,” Phillips told the crowd gathered in Brooklyn’s Hamilton Arena, “This nation has had to endure six years of attacks on minority groups, of building tensions with China, and a lack of real assistance for the workers of this nation. We must forge a new path.” Phillips’ remarks received a standing ovation from the delegates at the convention.
“Libs Promise Presidential Fight as They Nominate Mayor Phillips,” Manhattan Gazette, July 30, 1954.
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BOREALIA SETS REFERENDUM DATE FOR MARCH 1955
VICTORIA - Borealian Prime Minister Patricia Meeker announced yesterday that a referendum on whether or not to join the proposed Imperial Commonwealth, which is set to be inaugurated sometime in the latter half of 1955, will take place in March of the coming year, giving those who plan to campaign for and against the measure about seven months to get out and try to win over the public. Those who will be campaigning for joining the Commonwealth will have an uphill battle, as recent polling has the “no” campaign supported by nearly two-thirds of Borealians. Of course, the big question for many Borealians is what happens if the country rejects the new Commonwealth. Would they remain in personal union with the British monarchy? Would the nation completely separate and focus solely on its membership in the North American Union? All of this remains to be seen, and may yet be fleshed out prior to the vote in March.
“Borealia Sets Referendum Date For March 1955,” Brooklyn Standard, August 10, 1954.
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NOLAN FIRES UP NATIONALIST CONVENTION AS PRIEST CONFIRMED AS CANDIDATE
SAVANNAH, GE - President Nolan gave a fiery speech to a crowd of more than twenty thousand to introduce Vice President Timothy Priest, who had just been confirmed as the Nationalist candidate for the presidency. “We have turned this nation around in the last six years, but the work remains unfinished. Put my friend Timothy in Washington House this November, and ensure that all the hard work we have done the past half decade is not undone by the vipers in the Liberal and Communalist parties.” Priest will be joined on the ticket by Oregon Representative Herschel Morton, who put up an aggressive campaign as a more moderate candidate, which ultimately fell up short with Nationalist voters, but Priest has reportedly told reporters that he felt Morton brought up good questions and would be an asset in the campaign and as vice president.
“Nolan Fires Up Nationalist Convention As Priest Confirmed as Candidate,” St. Louis Courier, August 15, 1954.
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WOC SELECTS SYDNEY FOR 1962 GAMES
AMSTERDAM - The World Olympic Committee announced that Sydney, Australia, will host the 1962 Olympic Games. WOC President Pierre Chardin said in the announcement, “after the success of the recent Tokyo Games, we are happy to announce that we intend to try and have the next several games outside of Europe or North America, and truly make these events a global affair.” The upcoming 1958 games will be in Paris, but after that there is speculation that several games will be held in Asia and South America or Africa, if suitable locations can be found.
“WOC Selects Sydney for 1962 Games,” Manhattan Gazette, September 4, 1954.
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PRIEST AND PHILLIPS NECK AND NECK AFTER DEBATE
PHILADELPHIA - At a special debate at Independence Hall which, for the first time ever, was broadcast live via telecinema, Vice President Timothy Priest, Boston Mayor Neil Phillips, New York Representative Vance Granger, and Connecticut Senator Zachary Smith all vied for the support of the American voter for over an hour and a half. Smith, to no surprise, often got sidelined, though most observers say they thought his answers were thoughtful and rational. Mr. Granger had a great moment when he chastised the Vice President for his support of President Nolan’s purges of homophiles from the federal bureaucracy, saying, “All the President has done is built an atmosphere of fear in federal agencies. And there have been documented cases of people falsely accusing coworkers they didn’t like of being homophiles just to have the Office of Morality land on them and fire them, without hope of appeal. There is no justice in that. It is shameful. It is wrong. And it has to stop.”
Despite this moment, most of those who watched the debate say that they thought the two front runners in the debate were Vice President Priest and Liberal candidate Neil Phillips. When asked about China, Priest gave a strong statement, saying “United America must stand firm and be willing to go toe-to-toe with China. And thanks to President Nolan’s leadership, we have done that. We haven’t backed down. We haven’t allowed the Chinese to dominate Asia. And under a Priest administration, this trend will continue.”
Neil Phillips attacked Priest’s support of the handling of the financial crisis, saying, “Mr. Priest, you and President Nolan bailed out the oil and automotive industry during the crisis, but offered almost no real assistance to those put out of work. Sure, you got the National Workers Corps established, and they’ve done a good job. But that only put maybe fifty to one hundred thousand workers back to work, with over half a million or more still unemployed. And the NWC has plenty of hardships for families who sign up, uprooting them from their home and sending them all over the country to work. We need a better plan.”
“Priest and Phillips Neck and Neck After Debate,” Franklin Observer, October 10, 1954.
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PHILLIPS ASSASSINATED AFTER CAMPAIGN SPEECH IN ST. LOUIS!
ST. LOUIS - After giving an enthusiastic speech to a crowd of over one thousand supporters at Brandt Park in central St. Louis, Liberal Party presidential candidate Neil Phillips was gunned down by a man who has yet to be identified and was shot and killed himself by St. Louis police officers on the scene. Phillips was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The nation is in shock. This is the first time that a presidential candidate has been targeted, let alone fallen victim to, an assassin’s bullet. Representative Katherine Potter, the Liberal Party’s vice presidential nominee, was in Chicago at a fundraiser and is expected to give a statement to the press sometime later today, doubtlessly addressing the future of the campaign, with the election less than two weeks away.
This is uncharted territory. A candidate for president has never died prior to the election before, and historians, lawyers, and politicians are unsure just what should be done. Does Phillips death make Potter the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate? Does the death of the head of the party’s ticket kill the whole ticket? Who gets to make this call, the party, the courts?
Neil Phillips body is expected to return to Boston later today as well, where his wife, Alicia, will meet it at the airport. Deputy Mayor Francine McDougall has already been sworn in as Mayor, and has declared a sixty day state of mourning for all of Boston. Several prayer vigils are planned at parishes across the city.
“Phillips Assassinated After Campaign Speech in St. Louis!” Boston Eagle, October 25, 1954.
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The shocking murder of Liberal Party candidate Neil Phillips just nine days before the 1954 election put the whole race in turmoil. On October 25, Phillips’ running mate Katherine Potter announced she would run in his place for the Presidency, and almost immediately people cried foul, creating a tense four day court drama which ultimately upheld Potter’s decision. The Oregonian representative was nowhere near as popular as Phillips, and many feared she would have no chance of beating Priest. Many in the party talked openly about supporting CPUS candidate Vance Granger, while others spoke of rallying for the party in Phillips’ memory.
Further complicating things was the revelation on October 30th that the shooter, Justin Coats of Kentucky, was an ardent Nationalist supporter. Vice President Priest quickly distanced himself, as did President Nolan, who declared a national state of mourning for Phillips. First Lady Kathy Nolan, and Second Lady Gertrude Priest both attended Phillips’ funeral on October 31st in Boston, along with candidates Vance Granger and Zachary Smith, in a touching moment of national unity. Priest and the other candidates also toned down the rhetoric on the campaign trail and many scheduled events were either cancelled or scaled down.
Election day, November 2nd 1954, was a tense day in the United States. High turnout was reported in many cities, and people were unsure and apprehensive about the outcome. Flags nationwide fluttered at half mast, and many Liberals wore black armbands in memory of Phillips.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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PRIEST WINS MOST VOTES, MORE THAN NOLAN, BUT FINAL VICTORY UNCERTAIN
FRANKLIN - The results of the election are in, and Vice President Timothy Priest won 247 electoral votes, more than President Nolan won in 1948. However, this falls short of the 292 votes needed for an absolute win, and unlike in 1948, the Federalist candidate Zachary Smith does not have enough votes to help secure Priest’s victory. So while he won the most votes, Priest might not be able to take the presidency. If CPUS candidate Vance Granger, who came in third place with 151 electoral votes, gives his support to Representative Katherine Potter of the Liberal Party, who came in second with 163 electoral votes, their combined 314 electoral votes would give Potter the majority she would need to claim victory. However, there is a fair amount of personal animosity between Potter and Granger from the campaign, where Potter, who was the vice presidential candidate at the time, more openly attacked Granger and Smith, while the late Neil Phillips focused almost exclusively on Priest. There is some speculation that, if no candidate is willing to support another candidate, the election might end up being decided by the House of Representatives, something that has not happened since the election of 1834. Many observers believe, however, that Granger will likely bury the hatchet and support Potter, making her the first female President of the United States.
“Priest Wins Most Votes, More Than Nolan, But Final Victory Uncertain,” Brooklyn Standard, November 3, 1954.
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PIKE WINS! FIRST HOMOPHILE IN CONGRESS
BOSTON - Massachusetts State Representative Jesse Pike has won his bid for the Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, which was an open seat with the retirement of Congresswoman Patricia Peel of the CPUS. Pike, who is also a Communalist, has served in the Massachusetts’ State House since 1948, and is most well known as an outspoken supporter of the Homophilic Rights movement, and is himself a self-identified homophile. His election marks the first time in U.S. history that an openly homophilic candidate has been elected to Congress, giving the Massachusetts’ First District a second historic first in Congressional history, the first being the election of the first female to Congress in 1902.
Members of the Nationalist Party, who will retain a narrow majority in the House of Representatives once the new Congress takes office in 1955, have openly speculated whether or not Pike’s openness as a hompohile might disqualify him from being seated in Congress, citing a House of Representatives code-of-conduct rule that states that members of the House who openly partake of immoral acts without repentance can be barred entry into the House chambers. It remains to be seen if this will actually occur.
“Pike Wins! First Homophile in Congress,” Boston Eagle, November 3, 1954.
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As the results of the election became clear, with no clear winner despite Timothy Priest taking the most electoral votes, discussions quickly began between the Potter and Granger camps about one candidate supporting the other. Potter naturally assumed that Granger would support her since she had come in second, but Granger surprised everyone by demanding that Potter support him instead. “Mrs. Potter never intended to become president. She was a caretaker for her fallen comrade’s campaign after Mr. Phillips was so cruelly taken from us on the eve of the election. She should support me and ensure that truly progressive policies are enacted in Franklin, and bring a final close to the disastrous policies of Nolan and Priest.” Further surprising everyone, Senator Zachary Smith of the Federalist Party announced that he was refusing to give his votes to any candidate either. His meager 21 electoral votes would not have been enough to tip the election, but for the first time since the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1863, which allowed candidates to give their support and their electoral votes to another candidate if there was no clear winner of a majority, no candidate was willing to give their votes to another. And the 20th Amendment created no mechanism to force a candidate to do so either. After almost a month and a half of back and forth, Vice President Priest made a formal statement calling for the House of Representatives to decide the 1954 election, something that had not been done since the election of John C. Calhoun in 1834. And with the House in Nationalist hands, there was a good chance that Priest could win the election.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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Whew! Finally done with this update. I hope you all enjoy it!
Definitely fun starting to set the stage for what will happen to get Georgina Lincoln elected in 1960.
So, my plan from here is to try and have the next update, with the Priest? Potter? Granger? Presidency and getting the TL up through the 1960 election, completed by the end of the year. I just got accepted to grad school and I will be starting online classes in January, so I expect that the time I have to write for pleasure will dwindle after that for awhile.
As always, please feel free to leave feedback. If you see anything that needs to be fixed, or have ideas for how things should go in the next update, please feel free to say so!
Also, my picture people, please feel free to scour this update in search of new faces to create new profiles.
FRANKLIN - As the President was leaving a dinner last night at the American Museum of History, an unknown assailant who is believed to be in custody opened fire, wounding the president and two members of the Presidential Guard, and killing a third. At the time of press, the government has not released specific details about the condition of the president or details about the shooter, but we know that the president is alive and that the wound is reportedly not fatal, according to an unnamed source at the Franklin-area hospital that received the president. Vice President Priest is also reported to be returning to the capital from a visit to his home state of Arkansas, believed to be a precautionary measure.
“Shots Fired at President After Address, Non-Fatal Wound Reported,” Brooklyn Standard, January 25, 1953.
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NOLAN RECOVERING AFTER SURGERY, VP PRIEST WILL TAKE ON SOME DUTIES
FRANKLIN - Following surgery needed after receiving a shot to the shoulder and another to his upper arm, President Nolan is recovering at St. Basil Hospital in the capital and is reported to be doing quite well. Washington House issued a statement yesterday saying that the President is expected to be discharged from the hospital’s care in a matter of days, and should be back to business within ten days or less. Until then, Vice President Priest has been given some of the President’s ceremonial duties, but the cabinet voted not to make Priest acting President.
The capital remains rattled, with police and the Presidential Guard remaining on high alert. The shooter, Tae-Young No, an immigrant from Choson, remains in Federal Security Service custody. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and the FSS have refused to give out any details about possible motives at this time.
“Nolan Recovering After Surgery, VP Priest Will Take on Some Duties,” St. Louis Courier, January 27, 1953.
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WOULD-BE ASSASSIN HAS CHINESE TIES
FRANKLIN - FSS Director Tomas Horton announced yesterday that Security Service has completed its preliminary investigation into the motives of shooter Tae-Young No, who tried to assassinate President Nolan. According to investigators, No, who immigrated to the United States in 1948 from Choson. During the war, his family was killed, and afterwards the FSS believe that No was radicalized by Chinese operatives seeking to bring all of Choson into the Chinese Empire. No and other young Chosonese belong to a group known as Truth is Freedom, which claims that the troubles in Choson are really the fault of the United States, and that if America hadn’t been involved in Asia that Choson wouldn’t have been devastated by war and wouldn’t be divided. No wrote out a letter prior to the attack on the President, where he claims that he decided to seek revenge for his family and his country by killing Nolan, who he believes is creating more tension between China and North America. No will appear in court next week on formal charges.
“Would-Be Assassin Has Chinese Ties,” Chicago Herald, February 10, 1953.
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It took months to confirm that Tae-Young No was assisted in his attack on President Nolan by the Chinese-backed group Truth is Freedom after No was charged with the attempted murder of Nolan, but once that did happen, “Yellow Scare” swept across the continent. Anti-Asian sentiment had already been high ever since the detonation of the first Chinese sun-bomb in 1951, but the attack on Nolan took things to new heights. Chinese businesses up and down the West Coast were destroyed. Dozens of people of various Asian backgrounds were reportedly murdered as well, though some estimates put that number much higher.
This hysteria wasn’t limited to the West Coast, nor was it limited to just the average citizen. Governments succumbed to the panic as well. California’s parliament passed a ban on all new immigration from China, and both the United States and California passed strict caps on immigration from China, Choson, and Japan. Such actions were also debated by the NAU’s Council, but Texas and Mexico refused to support such actions. Hawaii’s parliament debated similar actions as well, but with those of Asian ancestry making up a large plurality of the population, such measures were defeated.
Government action was not just limited to restrictions on immigration. In the Summer of 1953, President Nolan ordered an increase in troops to both Japan and Choson, the first such increase since the end of the Global War in 1938. And China didn’t sit idly by. In August of 1953, the Chinese Imperial Navy conducted massive war games off the coast of Japan and the Philippines, putting everyone on edge. As the Fall of 1953 approached, many people feared that out and out war between North America and China was on the horizon.
Jaeger, Peter. Shots Fired: The Attack on President Nolan and the Crisis of 1953. Astoria: Columbia River Press, 1987.
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PRESIDENT NOLAN CONFIRMS SUN-BOMB TEST: THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!
FRANKLIN - Last night, in a rare, specially called joint-session of Congress, President Nolan announced that the NAU’s joint effort to build an American sun-bomb has come to fruition, with the first successful test taking place two days ago in the deserts of Eastern California. “China no longer is alone in the ability to wield the power of the sun. The North American Union can now answer back with the same ferocity.” The President also stated that the tested bomb was not the only device that the NACDC has created. “This first bomb test is not our only bomb. There is more where that one came from, I can guarantee you that!”
A spokesperson from the State Department said that the administration hopes that with this announcement, North America and China can start to de-escalate the tension that has been building since the assassination attempt against the president this past January.
“President Nolan Confirms Sun-Bomb Test: There’s More Where That Came From!” Franklin Observer, September 7, 1953.
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LONDON CONFERENCE OPENS - IMPERIAL COMMONWEALTH TO BE DISCUSSED
LONDON - King William V officially opened the London Imperial Conference at Whitehall Palace, welcoming leaders from all of the British Dominions and Colonies. This conference was organized by the British monarch and by Prime Minister Henrietta Dudley, with the hopes of discussing the creation of an Imperial Commonwealth, which would create an Imperial Parliament and give greater home rule to colonies. It remains to be seen whether or not this proposal will get the assent of the leaders of the British Empire. The idea is less popular in Borealia, which already sees itself more connected to its American neighbors than with the rest of the British Empire.
“London Conference Opens - Imperial Commonwealth to be Discussed,” Manhattan Gazette, October 5, 1953.
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The First Imperial Conference at London in October of 1953 laid out the framework to create what would become the British Imperial Commonwealth. At its core would be an end to colonialism, making all existing colonies into “Commonwealth States,” territories that would be independent to pursue all local affairs so long as they adhered to a common set of rights that would be guaranteed to all imperial citizens. An imperial parliament would also be created, with representatives elected from every Commonwealth State and from every Dominion. The Commonwealth would pursue a common foreign policy and defence policy. Dominions would continue to have their own separate foreign and defense ministries, while Commonwealth States would be part of a unified Imperial Armed Forces.
The proposal gained wide popularity in the colonies, and was overall welcomed in Britain and Australia. India was more mixed, as was South Africa. In Borealia, much to the consternation of Borealian Prime Minister Patricia Meeker, the proposal was met with much negativity. Opposition leader Thomas Mendenhall from the Federation Party was a particularly outspoken critic, saying often at political rallies that “Borealia’s future is with our fellow Americans across this continent, not with tying ourselves down with the outdated and far-flung Empire.” At the end of the conference, it was decided to have a second conference to delve further into the proposal after giving leaders from across the empire more time to fully discuss and debate the issue. A new conference would meet in Australia in 1954.
Cherry, Dr. Mathilda. God Save Our Commonwealth. London: Imperial Publishers, 2012.
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VICE PRESIDENT PRIEST ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
COLUMBUS, OH - At a rally in the capital of Ohio, Vice President Timothy Priest announced that he will seek his party’s nomination for the Presidency in next year’s election. Most political pundits agree that the 1954 presidential race will be hotly contested and a close one. Priest will be running to protect and continue the policies of President Nolan, while the Liberals and Communalists (and possibly even the Federalists) will all be vying to put a permanent close to the Nolan Era. It remains unclear at this point if the vice president will have any serious competition for the Nationalist nomination. Some wonder whether or not Oregon representative Herschel Morton might be able to mount a successful run. He is seen as more moderate than Nolan and Priest, and therefore more likely to draw in undecided or unaffiliated voters over to vote for him.
“Vice President Priest Announces Candidacy,” St. Louis Courier, November 10, 1953.
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The 1954 race for Washington House seemed wide open when the primaries began in January of that year. Liberals and Communalists were very hopeful that they could unseat the Nationalists from power, not only with the presidency but also in Congress. Nationalists hoped to continue on the course set by President Nolan. And the Federalists...they just hoped to survive as a party. The issues of the election were wide-ranging too, from China and weapon’s policy to the growing clash between those supporting the homophilic rights movement and those who wanted to maintain more conservative values.
The forerunner of the Nationalist race of course was Vice President Timothy Priest of Arkansas, who was also the first candidate in the 1954 race to declare his candidacy. Priest was a known quantity and fairly popular among Nationalist voters, and was clearly seen as the successor to President Nolan. Despite this, other members of the Nationalist Party did put their hat into the ring and tried to challenge Priest, most notably Representative Herschel Morton of Oregon, who campaigned on being a moderate in a hope to be more attractive to a broader audience. The broader appeal might have helped Morton in the actual election, but in the primaries he couldn’t compete as well against Priest.
The Liberals had three major contenders for their nomination: Mayor Neil Phillips of Boston, Representative Katherine Potter of Oregon, and Governor Hannah Banks of Louisiana. Potter and Banks were both party purist, and wanted a distinct divide between themselves and the Communalists, a point of view that was becoming less popular among the party rank-and-file. Phillips, by contrast, was a popular figure in Communalist-leaning Boston, and had a good working relationship with Liberal and CPUS figures in Massachusetts and in Congress, and was pulling ahead by the end of February of 1954. Banks bowed out before the March primaries, leaving Phillips and Potter to battle it out for their party’s support.
As was typical of the CPUS, there was a stronger consensus among members and party leaders, with only two major contenders: Indiana Governor Georgina Lincoln, and New York Representative Vance Granger. This race would end up coming down to experience. Granger had been in Congress for almost two decades, whereas Lincoln had only been in office since 1950, despite coming from a politically active family. Experience would win out in the end.
Few believed, and rightly so, that the Federalists had any chance of winning the presidency. The party was at their lowest point in over a century, and many openly wondered if the party would dissolve. Despite this, Senator Zachary Smith of Connecticut and Mayor Alexander Hughes of New Orleans both sought to represent their party in the November election. Turnout of Federalist voters in most primaries were low, as party registration had dropped considerably nation wide in the past two decades leading up to the 1954 election.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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SYDNEY CONFERENCE OPENS TO DISCUSS BRITISH COMMONWEALTH
SYDNEY - After several months of public debate across the British Empire, leaders from every colony and dominion have gathered in Sydney, the capital of the Dominion of Australia, to discuss the proposed “Imperial Commonwealth” for a second time. King William V made the journey to the Land Down Under for the second time in his reign, opening this conference with a few thoughts of his own, saying, “The British Empire is at a crossroads. If it is to continue, it must evolve. That is what we must decide upon here at this gathering.” Sources close to the British sovereign say that William V remains optimistic that this proposal will be supported by the empire and that this change, which the king has reportedly called “the most important change to ever face the British civilization,” will help the empire continue to grow and thrive into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Australians are mostly in support of the plan, and India seems to be warming to the idea as well. South Africa remains somewhat divided, however, and Borealia still does not seem in favor, despite support from Prime Minister Meeker. Back in Britain, estimates are that roughly two-thirds of the populace support the proposed commonwealth, despite detractors who say that this will diminish the importance of Britain itself.
“Sydney Conference Opens to Discuss British Commonwealth,” Franklin Observer, February 3, 1954.
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BOREALIA WILL NOT COMMIT TO NEW COMMONWEALTH WITHOUT REFERENDUM
SYDNEY - The Borealian delegates to the imperial conference in Britain announced yesterday that the Kingdom will not commit to join the new British Imperial Commonwealth, which was approved of by vote of the Imperial Conference earlier this week, until a referendum can be held to allow the citizens of the British Empire’s oldest dominion a chance to voice their opinion on the matter. Australia, India, and South Africa have all agreed to the plan. There is some fear that if Boralia will not join the new structure of the empire, that the whole project will fall apart, leaving the future of the British Empire as a whole in doubt. If the realm’s oldest dominion rejects the new imperial relationship being crafted, what will prevent other dominions or colonies from doing the same?
“Borealia Will Not Commit to New Commonwealth Without Referendum,” Chicago Herald, February 24, 1954.
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10TH NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENS IN LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES, RoC - Californian Chancellor Frederick Thomason welcomed his counterparts from the other nations of the North American Union in the California Republic’s second largest city for the opening of the 10th North American conference, the first to be held since the creation of the North American Union. While the docket it full of several proposals for ways to improve the overall structure of the Union, the key focus will be on relations with China, and how to best coordinate that testy and often sour relationship. Tensions stabilized last fall after it was announced that the North American Continental Defense Command had been able to successfully test a sun-bomb, checking Chinese sabre rattling, but things are far from cordial. President Nolan has proposed the creation of a combined diplomatic effort to try and smooth things over with China, something that also seems to be generally popular in California and Hawaii as well.
Observers will also be paying attention to the Borealian Prime Minister and her delegation as well. Patricia Meeker has only recently returned from Sydney, where the leaders of the British Empire voted to restructure into a new Commonwealth, making most of the territories and colonies equals in relationship to one another. Many Borealians have expressed displeasure at being pulled both towards their neighbors in North America and their cousins across the British-colonized lands, and believe the country should “pick a side.”
“10th North American Conference Opens in Los Angeles,” Astoria Herald, April 5, 1954.
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NAU COMMITS TO PEACE TALKS WITH CHINA
LOS ANGELES, RoC - After many back and forth talks, the leaders of the North American Union have voted to send a special combined peace envoy to meet with China, preferably on neutral ground if possible. A commission will be appointed with members from each nation in the Union, and will have the authority to make formal agreements with China on behalf of all member states. Texan President Gloria Lopez had proposed setting up a permanent foreign relations office for the Union, but the United States, California, and Mexico all balked at this idea. The NAU-China Commission is being billed as a compromise that has enough power but a more limited scope that will please the whole of the Union.
“NAU Commits to Peace Talks with China,” St. Louis Courier, April 20, 1954.
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CPUS CONFIRMS REP. GRANGER AS CANDIDATE
VANDALIA - At their annual Party Congress, held this time in the capital of Illinois, the Communalist Party of the United States has voted to make New York Representative Vance Granger as their nominee for the presidency. Joining Granger on the CPUS ticket will be Indiana Governor Georgina Lincoln, who closely trailed Granger during most of the primary season. Granger is seen as having a real shot at defeating both the nationalist candidate (likely Vice President Timothy Priest), and also the Liberal Party candidate (still a toss up between Mayor Phillips of Boston and Representative Katherine Potter of Oregon). If so, Granger would become the first Communalist president in U.S. history.
“CPUS Confirms Rep. Granger as Candidate,” Manhattan Gazette, May 10, 1954.
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CHINA AGREES TO TALKS WITH NAU
XIAN - Chinese Foreign Minister Tu Fan announced yesterday that his government will be willing to meet with Special Councilor Benjamin McCormick of the NAU-China Commission to discuss future relations between North America and the Chinese Empire, in hopes of easing tensions and restoring normalcy to the world-wide diplomatic order. Minister Fan has proposed a few locations that may work as neutral ground for these talks, including Trans-Siberia and the Kingdom of Vietnam. Although not included in the formal statement, sources in the Chinese Court have said that it is likely that the government will want to hold off on having any official talks until after the U.S. presidential elections and a new president is in office.
“China Agrees to Talks with NAU,” Franklin Observer, May 27, 1954.
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QUESTIONS OF FUTURE HANGS OVER FEDERALIST CONVENTION
HARTFORD - Senator Zachary Smith of Connecticut has been confirmed as the party’s candidate for the November election, and New Orleans Mayor Alexander Hughes will be his running mate. However, the bulk of the convention has not been focused on the party’s candidates or platform, but on the mere future existence of the party. Federalists have been on a severe decline ever since the 1948 election, and have shown little sign of real improvement. And unlike in 1840, the last time the future of the party was brought into question, the party isn’t entrenched in any one region of the country anymore, the way it was a century ago when New England was solid Federalist territory. Now Federalists exist in pockets scattered across the country, making it harder for them to make noticeable gains.
No official decision was made, but most party members left with the consensus that if the results of this election were poor, a post-election convention would be called and dissolution of the party would be seriously discussed. There is a fear that if the party has become so small an irrelevant, continued existence might only harm the country.
“Questions of Future Hangs Over Federalist Convention,” Brooklyn Standard, June 20, 1954.
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OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN IN TOKYO, FIRST IN ASIA
TOKYO - Japanese President Kyoshi Nakatani welcomed in the world for the Eleventh World Olympics, the first held in Asia since the games began in 1910. 5,212 athletes marched into Harmony Stadium, as nearly 75,000 people cheered on from the stands. The Japanese Olympic Committee put on an amazing show celebrating local culture, with thousands of performers dancing on the stadium floor, along with spectacular light shows capped by a fireworks display. China and the United States both remain favorites for top nation, and beyond that it seems to be an open field.
Since tensions have stabilized between China and America, which Japan remains an ally of, the welcome the Chinese athletes got was not as cool as it might have been if these games had been held six months or a year ago. As things are, there was still a noticeable drop in volume when the athletes from Japan’s western neighbor entered the stadium during the parade of nations.
“Olympic Games Open in Tokyo, First in Asia,” New Orleans Star, July 2, 1954.
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CHINA TAKES FIRST IN TOKYO GAMES
TOKYO - Taking 54 gold medals, the athletes of the Chinese Empire took overall first place in the medal count in the Tokyo Games, beating out the United States by 12 medals. In third place, in a surprise, was the Russian Republic, winning 19 gold medals. In a surprising move, the Japanese government has given an invitation to the Chinese Prime Minister to attend the closing ceremonies in celebration of China’s success. This will mark the first high-profile visit of any Chinese official to Japan since the end of the Global War. Many hope that this is yet another sign that the political and diplomatic situation in Asia might be improving.
“China Takes First in Tokyo Games,” Boston Eagle, July 16, 1954.
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LIBS PROMISE PRESIDENTIAL FIGHT AS THEY NOMINATE MAYOR PHILLIPS
BROOKLYN - The Liberal Party has confirmed the nomination of Mayor Neil Phillips as their presidential candidate, with Oregon Representative Katherine Potter as his running mate. The Liberal Party is positioning itself as the chief rival to Vice President Priest and the Nationalists, not focusing on the Communalists. “We cannot handle a second Nolan Administration,” Phillips told the crowd gathered in Brooklyn’s Hamilton Arena, “This nation has had to endure six years of attacks on minority groups, of building tensions with China, and a lack of real assistance for the workers of this nation. We must forge a new path.” Phillips’ remarks received a standing ovation from the delegates at the convention.
“Libs Promise Presidential Fight as They Nominate Mayor Phillips,” Manhattan Gazette, July 30, 1954.
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BOREALIA SETS REFERENDUM DATE FOR MARCH 1955
VICTORIA - Borealian Prime Minister Patricia Meeker announced yesterday that a referendum on whether or not to join the proposed Imperial Commonwealth, which is set to be inaugurated sometime in the latter half of 1955, will take place in March of the coming year, giving those who plan to campaign for and against the measure about seven months to get out and try to win over the public. Those who will be campaigning for joining the Commonwealth will have an uphill battle, as recent polling has the “no” campaign supported by nearly two-thirds of Borealians. Of course, the big question for many Borealians is what happens if the country rejects the new Commonwealth. Would they remain in personal union with the British monarchy? Would the nation completely separate and focus solely on its membership in the North American Union? All of this remains to be seen, and may yet be fleshed out prior to the vote in March.
“Borealia Sets Referendum Date For March 1955,” Brooklyn Standard, August 10, 1954.
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NOLAN FIRES UP NATIONALIST CONVENTION AS PRIEST CONFIRMED AS CANDIDATE
SAVANNAH, GE - President Nolan gave a fiery speech to a crowd of more than twenty thousand to introduce Vice President Timothy Priest, who had just been confirmed as the Nationalist candidate for the presidency. “We have turned this nation around in the last six years, but the work remains unfinished. Put my friend Timothy in Washington House this November, and ensure that all the hard work we have done the past half decade is not undone by the vipers in the Liberal and Communalist parties.” Priest will be joined on the ticket by Oregon Representative Herschel Morton, who put up an aggressive campaign as a more moderate candidate, which ultimately fell up short with Nationalist voters, but Priest has reportedly told reporters that he felt Morton brought up good questions and would be an asset in the campaign and as vice president.
“Nolan Fires Up Nationalist Convention As Priest Confirmed as Candidate,” St. Louis Courier, August 15, 1954.
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WOC SELECTS SYDNEY FOR 1962 GAMES
AMSTERDAM - The World Olympic Committee announced that Sydney, Australia, will host the 1962 Olympic Games. WOC President Pierre Chardin said in the announcement, “after the success of the recent Tokyo Games, we are happy to announce that we intend to try and have the next several games outside of Europe or North America, and truly make these events a global affair.” The upcoming 1958 games will be in Paris, but after that there is speculation that several games will be held in Asia and South America or Africa, if suitable locations can be found.
“WOC Selects Sydney for 1962 Games,” Manhattan Gazette, September 4, 1954.
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PRIEST AND PHILLIPS NECK AND NECK AFTER DEBATE
PHILADELPHIA - At a special debate at Independence Hall which, for the first time ever, was broadcast live via telecinema, Vice President Timothy Priest, Boston Mayor Neil Phillips, New York Representative Vance Granger, and Connecticut Senator Zachary Smith all vied for the support of the American voter for over an hour and a half. Smith, to no surprise, often got sidelined, though most observers say they thought his answers were thoughtful and rational. Mr. Granger had a great moment when he chastised the Vice President for his support of President Nolan’s purges of homophiles from the federal bureaucracy, saying, “All the President has done is built an atmosphere of fear in federal agencies. And there have been documented cases of people falsely accusing coworkers they didn’t like of being homophiles just to have the Office of Morality land on them and fire them, without hope of appeal. There is no justice in that. It is shameful. It is wrong. And it has to stop.”
Despite this moment, most of those who watched the debate say that they thought the two front runners in the debate were Vice President Priest and Liberal candidate Neil Phillips. When asked about China, Priest gave a strong statement, saying “United America must stand firm and be willing to go toe-to-toe with China. And thanks to President Nolan’s leadership, we have done that. We haven’t backed down. We haven’t allowed the Chinese to dominate Asia. And under a Priest administration, this trend will continue.”
Neil Phillips attacked Priest’s support of the handling of the financial crisis, saying, “Mr. Priest, you and President Nolan bailed out the oil and automotive industry during the crisis, but offered almost no real assistance to those put out of work. Sure, you got the National Workers Corps established, and they’ve done a good job. But that only put maybe fifty to one hundred thousand workers back to work, with over half a million or more still unemployed. And the NWC has plenty of hardships for families who sign up, uprooting them from their home and sending them all over the country to work. We need a better plan.”
“Priest and Phillips Neck and Neck After Debate,” Franklin Observer, October 10, 1954.
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PHILLIPS ASSASSINATED AFTER CAMPAIGN SPEECH IN ST. LOUIS!
ST. LOUIS - After giving an enthusiastic speech to a crowd of over one thousand supporters at Brandt Park in central St. Louis, Liberal Party presidential candidate Neil Phillips was gunned down by a man who has yet to be identified and was shot and killed himself by St. Louis police officers on the scene. Phillips was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The nation is in shock. This is the first time that a presidential candidate has been targeted, let alone fallen victim to, an assassin’s bullet. Representative Katherine Potter, the Liberal Party’s vice presidential nominee, was in Chicago at a fundraiser and is expected to give a statement to the press sometime later today, doubtlessly addressing the future of the campaign, with the election less than two weeks away.
This is uncharted territory. A candidate for president has never died prior to the election before, and historians, lawyers, and politicians are unsure just what should be done. Does Phillips death make Potter the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate? Does the death of the head of the party’s ticket kill the whole ticket? Who gets to make this call, the party, the courts?
Neil Phillips body is expected to return to Boston later today as well, where his wife, Alicia, will meet it at the airport. Deputy Mayor Francine McDougall has already been sworn in as Mayor, and has declared a sixty day state of mourning for all of Boston. Several prayer vigils are planned at parishes across the city.
“Phillips Assassinated After Campaign Speech in St. Louis!” Boston Eagle, October 25, 1954.
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The shocking murder of Liberal Party candidate Neil Phillips just nine days before the 1954 election put the whole race in turmoil. On October 25, Phillips’ running mate Katherine Potter announced she would run in his place for the Presidency, and almost immediately people cried foul, creating a tense four day court drama which ultimately upheld Potter’s decision. The Oregonian representative was nowhere near as popular as Phillips, and many feared she would have no chance of beating Priest. Many in the party talked openly about supporting CPUS candidate Vance Granger, while others spoke of rallying for the party in Phillips’ memory.
Further complicating things was the revelation on October 30th that the shooter, Justin Coats of Kentucky, was an ardent Nationalist supporter. Vice President Priest quickly distanced himself, as did President Nolan, who declared a national state of mourning for Phillips. First Lady Kathy Nolan, and Second Lady Gertrude Priest both attended Phillips’ funeral on October 31st in Boston, along with candidates Vance Granger and Zachary Smith, in a touching moment of national unity. Priest and the other candidates also toned down the rhetoric on the campaign trail and many scheduled events were either cancelled or scaled down.
Election day, November 2nd 1954, was a tense day in the United States. High turnout was reported in many cities, and people were unsure and apprehensive about the outcome. Flags nationwide fluttered at half mast, and many Liberals wore black armbands in memory of Phillips.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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PRIEST WINS MOST VOTES, MORE THAN NOLAN, BUT FINAL VICTORY UNCERTAIN
FRANKLIN - The results of the election are in, and Vice President Timothy Priest won 247 electoral votes, more than President Nolan won in 1948. However, this falls short of the 292 votes needed for an absolute win, and unlike in 1948, the Federalist candidate Zachary Smith does not have enough votes to help secure Priest’s victory. So while he won the most votes, Priest might not be able to take the presidency. If CPUS candidate Vance Granger, who came in third place with 151 electoral votes, gives his support to Representative Katherine Potter of the Liberal Party, who came in second with 163 electoral votes, their combined 314 electoral votes would give Potter the majority she would need to claim victory. However, there is a fair amount of personal animosity between Potter and Granger from the campaign, where Potter, who was the vice presidential candidate at the time, more openly attacked Granger and Smith, while the late Neil Phillips focused almost exclusively on Priest. There is some speculation that, if no candidate is willing to support another candidate, the election might end up being decided by the House of Representatives, something that has not happened since the election of 1834. Many observers believe, however, that Granger will likely bury the hatchet and support Potter, making her the first female President of the United States.
“Priest Wins Most Votes, More Than Nolan, But Final Victory Uncertain,” Brooklyn Standard, November 3, 1954.
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PIKE WINS! FIRST HOMOPHILE IN CONGRESS
BOSTON - Massachusetts State Representative Jesse Pike has won his bid for the Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, which was an open seat with the retirement of Congresswoman Patricia Peel of the CPUS. Pike, who is also a Communalist, has served in the Massachusetts’ State House since 1948, and is most well known as an outspoken supporter of the Homophilic Rights movement, and is himself a self-identified homophile. His election marks the first time in U.S. history that an openly homophilic candidate has been elected to Congress, giving the Massachusetts’ First District a second historic first in Congressional history, the first being the election of the first female to Congress in 1902.
Members of the Nationalist Party, who will retain a narrow majority in the House of Representatives once the new Congress takes office in 1955, have openly speculated whether or not Pike’s openness as a hompohile might disqualify him from being seated in Congress, citing a House of Representatives code-of-conduct rule that states that members of the House who openly partake of immoral acts without repentance can be barred entry into the House chambers. It remains to be seen if this will actually occur.
“Pike Wins! First Homophile in Congress,” Boston Eagle, November 3, 1954.
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As the results of the election became clear, with no clear winner despite Timothy Priest taking the most electoral votes, discussions quickly began between the Potter and Granger camps about one candidate supporting the other. Potter naturally assumed that Granger would support her since she had come in second, but Granger surprised everyone by demanding that Potter support him instead. “Mrs. Potter never intended to become president. She was a caretaker for her fallen comrade’s campaign after Mr. Phillips was so cruelly taken from us on the eve of the election. She should support me and ensure that truly progressive policies are enacted in Franklin, and bring a final close to the disastrous policies of Nolan and Priest.” Further surprising everyone, Senator Zachary Smith of the Federalist Party announced that he was refusing to give his votes to any candidate either. His meager 21 electoral votes would not have been enough to tip the election, but for the first time since the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1863, which allowed candidates to give their support and their electoral votes to another candidate if there was no clear winner of a majority, no candidate was willing to give their votes to another. And the 20th Amendment created no mechanism to force a candidate to do so either. After almost a month and a half of back and forth, Vice President Priest made a formal statement calling for the House of Representatives to decide the 1954 election, something that had not been done since the election of John C. Calhoun in 1834. And with the House in Nationalist hands, there was a good chance that Priest could win the election.
Fulton, Dr. Peter. Election 1954: Battle Between Culture and Counterculture. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2004.
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Whew! Finally done with this update. I hope you all enjoy it!
Definitely fun starting to set the stage for what will happen to get Georgina Lincoln elected in 1960.
So, my plan from here is to try and have the next update, with the Priest? Potter? Granger? Presidency and getting the TL up through the 1960 election, completed by the end of the year. I just got accepted to grad school and I will be starting online classes in January, so I expect that the time I have to write for pleasure will dwindle after that for awhile.
As always, please feel free to leave feedback. If you see anything that needs to be fixed, or have ideas for how things should go in the next update, please feel free to say so!
Also, my picture people, please feel free to scour this update in search of new faces to create new profiles.
- Eckener
- Word Count: 6.1k