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The Presidential Election of 1865
The National Conventions of 1864 were defined by Cuba and Workers’ Rights. Almost every candidate ran with a platform somehow extending further security, physical or financial, to the workers. The views on Cuba were more varied. They ranged from outright hostility toward the Spanish, to promises of sticking to naught but a diplomatic solution to the diplomatic crisis.
The Republicans and New Democrats were both almost unanimous in their decisions. The Republicans went with 2nd Generation American, Tony Demchak, whose parents were of Russian descent. Demchak believed fiercely in the rights of immigrants and workers, and advocated a policy of slow escalation with Spain. He was one of the first to pledge his support for the Indian Citizenship Bill [1].
The New Democrats had a simple choice ahead of them. Senator Michael Jamous had come so close to winning the election four years earlier, that Edward Wilkinson’s campaign for the nomination faced a situation similar to that of running against an incumbent [2]. Jamous’ only problem was that Americans may have become disillusioned with him due to the hard line in the South despite his promises of leniency.
1. The Republican National Convention of 1864.
The Libertarians had a much closer primary. The arrival of trade unionist Martin Beukes of Chicago offset the chances of Jonathan Nightmore, who had for the first time seen a proper chance at running. Beukes’ fiery rhetoric, focused solely on workers’ rights, appealed to a slowly fracturing party’s both components, and was felt by the more radical elements to be a step in the right direction. Beukes’ nomination underlined the fact that the Libertarian Party did not have as strong a consensus as the other two parties. By the next election, the cracks that had begun to show in the party in 1864, would bust it right open.
[1] – A bill that would do exactly what it said, give citizenship to Native Americans depending on their status during the war, and slowly phase out reservations.
[2] – So far, the only man to succeed in beating an incumbent to the nomination had been John F. Cameron in 1840.
The Candidates/Tickets of 1865
The Election Manifesto of the Republican Party
Presidential Candidate: Tony Demchak
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Benjamin Bachmann
Presidential Candidate: Tony Demchak
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Benjamin Bachmann
Friends, gentlemen of the Republican Party, I thank you for nominating me to be your next President! We have been through the most destructive war in our history, and I can only pray none shall ever surpass it. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the men in our fighting forces for preserving our glorious Union, and may it be a beacon for years to come! To ensure our continued growth and success, I will spend most of my efforts on the economy. North and South will be rebuilt; we are one nation again, and we shall ever be so. I will follow the example of President Washington and avoid entangling European alliances; our business shall be in the Western Hemisphere. We will look with friendship upon our cousins in Europe, and I will encourage trade throughout the world, but I will do my very best to keep us out of any foreign adventures. To the people of the South: You have suffered, just as we have suffered, and I would have an end to it. Let us put aside our differences and live as one people. I will spend whatever needs to be spent to repair the damage of the war and give you a viable economy. I welcome ideas, opinions, and even arguments from any who can profitably contribute to our nation, Northerner, Southerner, white, black, yellow, any class, any creed. To conclude, I have a warning for those in Spain: do not harbor the remnants of the Confederacy. Do not confuse my preference for peace for weakness; I can and will do whatever it takes to see that those who caused our recent war are brought to justice.
Thank you all, and good night.
Policies:
Economic Policy:
Laissez-Faire/Free Trade. The free market is perfectly capable of deciding how best to rebuild our industry. I would couple this with a slight reduction on taxes for capitalists, to ensure they can create job (say, 5% cut), and the financing of import subsidies to help our domestic industries thrive.
Military Policy:
Pro-Military. I would welcome any officer's assistance in employing a concrete plan, but what I envision are two sizable expeditionary forces, in case of emergency deployment overseas. Apart from that, I would advise we take advantage of our railroads and keep our forces evenly spaced out. Naval expansion is crucial to our success in the future, and I would authorize funding for two mighty fleets, with the newest and finest technology available.
Voting:
Full citizenship. As the son of immigrants, I welcome the greatest possible expansion of voting.
Foreign Policy:
I would demand the return of Confederate fugitives from Spain. If they do not agree, I would first use diplomatic sanctions, trade embargoes, and possibly even a blockade. I would not declare war on Spain unless we were fully capable of achieving our goals. Our men in uniform are tired from a long war, and I would use the utmost discretion to see that it did not escalate. I would also support purchasing lands and colonizing overseas, if the opportunity presented itself.
Election Manifesto of the New Democratic Party
Presidential Candidate: Michael Jamous
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Thomas Howard
Presidential Candidate: Michael Jamous
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Thomas Howard
Fellow Americans, the past four years have seen prosperity and an end to the war with the rebels in the South. We have seen an unprecedented amount of growth for both our industry, and the Average Income for Americans the nation over ((Figured this would be due to the large increase in capitalists in the last update)), but it is not enough. The New Democrats and I will seek to improve our already great economy and industrial base, as well as the common man's ability to feed his family. I will not outline my policies and stances.
Policies:
National Economy:
I will make an overall decrease of the national taxes by 5% to allow for each man and women to ability to afford the new products being made available for them as each day passes. We will temporarily raise tariffs by 10% to allow our newer and more fragile factories time to grow and not be threatened by cheaper foreign goods. We shall encourage capitalists in both the North and West to set up and construct new factories for our growing populace, this is especially important for the west, where massive immigration and migration has been seen due to the Homestead Act. The government will seek to keep a "hands off" approach with the economy, only intervening when necessary.
Foreign Affairs and Influence:
We shall continue our enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine, while strengthening our relations with Great Britain. We shall expand into the Pacific via colonization of unclaimed islands, and continue to seek diplomatic relations with the markets of Japan and Siam. In Europe, we will seek to increase relations with both Prussia and Austria, in hopes that Prussia may unite the German peoples outside of Austrian rule, while Austria moves to liberate Eastern Europe from Ottoman hands.
Military:
We shall continue to modernize and expand both our Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, with a construction of upgraded naval bases across both sea boards. The United States Marine Core shall be expanded to provide a suitable Expeditionary Force and Strike Force in cases on emergency. The U.S. Army shall be given funds to continue to train and stay an effective fighting force, but shall not be expanded any time soon.
The South:
I will continue the Radical Reconstruction that I was forced to implement while acting as Secretary of Southern Reconstruction, the only difference being a gradual move towards leniency as the South calms down and returns to pre-war normal.
Cuba:
I shall continue President Williams diplomatic talks with Spain over the current issue with both American citizens and Rebel Government figures hiding out in Spanish Cuba. We shall not give up on Diplomatic talks until the Spanish themselves give up on them. If war must come, we shall quickly have our Marines on Cuban soil and set up a naval blockade of Spanish Cuba and Puerto Rico in preparation for the Spanish Navy.
Socialist America:
The ban on socialist parties and talk shall be removed and an official Presidential apology made in front of the underground leaders of the Socialist Movement. They shall be given the same rights as any other party to form.
Reforms:
I will seek to put in place safety reforms to help improve the safety of factories throughout the nation. Healthcare shall also be improved, to continue on the legacy of the late great President Cameron. I will also move to shorten the workday to at least 14 hours.
Miscellaneous:
Mr. Vallejo will serve as my Secretary of State and assist with the Diplomatic talks being made with Spain over the recent issue. A Federal Bureau of Investigation (or FBI) shall be created using elite individuals from all branches of the armed forces and exceptional Secret Service personnel to investigate national crimes and incidents, and to battle against illegal and dangerous groups of individuals, the KKK being the top of such a list at its formation. The "Native's Citizenship Bill" shall receive support by the government on all its clauses, though it will be made noticed that the Government wishes for the forced settlements of Natives onto Reservations be stopped and the Native tribes be given the right to settle where they wish upon their agreement with this Bill.
These are the major issues and policies that I will implement as President of the United States. I believe them to be the best for the given situation, and hope that if you think so as well, you shall vote Jamous for President and Howard for Vice-President.
Election Manifesto of the Libertarian Party
Presidential Candidate: Martin Beukes
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Jonathan Nightmore
My Four YearsPresidential Candidate: Martin Beukes
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Jonathan Nightmore
Policies:
The Labor Act:
Congressional legislation to guarantee the right of every worker to unionize and for those unions to collectively bargain with management.
The Anti-Trust Act:
Congressional legislation against business monopolies.
The Trade Union Congress:
The executive establishment of the Trade Union Congress, which all trade unions will be entitled to a delegation in. The Trade Union Congress will possess no powers over its members unless they invest it with such powers, and they will be able to leave it at any time, but they will always possess the right to send their delegation and help the TUC select the Union Representative - a Cabinet level position in the federal government so that labor and capital may bargain more directly.
A Progressive Agenda:
Persistent action in the courts suing companies that violate the labor and trust acts. The Attorney General (head of the Justice Department) will also be made a cabinet level position as part of our strong position against crime and corruption, and the belief that national law enforcement can stop lynch-mobs and protect civil liberties better than micromanaging the South with the Reconstruction Department - which should focus on protecting, expanding, and developing freeman land grants.
Social Reforms:
Initial advances in the areas of the working day, minimum wage, and healthcare; or - if possible - focusing our efforts in a single area and establishing the 8 Hour Working Day.
Scientific, Results-oriented Economic Policy:
Tariffs and the level of government intervention in the economy will be determined at the time to see what is best for the nation.
A Plan For American Exceptionalism On The World Stage:
My most desired goal is to have our social reforms and a balanced budget too. Once that is accomplished, surplus funds or a limited specific-purpose borrowing of money could be used to build up our maritime trade capabilities - merchantmen and modern combat vessels to protect them, improved port facilities. This in conjunction with the construction of trading posts in and influencing the less developed countries we hope to become the primary exporter to. A peaceful empire of trade if we can afford it, one that will keep every American working and producing our wonderful goods to sell to the world for generations.
My Stand on Europe:
Fidelity with Britain, a thawing of relations with France, and a peaceful balance of order in Europe that I thoroughly believed will only be achieved with a unified Germany and a strong Austria-Hungary as a counter-balance for the sake of France and Russia's peace of mind. The German unification is a likely occurrence and the international community has an interest in creating a balance of power that will not lead to war between Germany and France.
President: Martin Beukes
Vice-President: Jonathan Nightmore
Secretary of State: Eamon Callaghan
Union Representative: *to be elected by the TUC*
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Exceptional Situation(s):
One! Two! Three! Four! Who you gonna vote for!?
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Meh, I can't vote, since I'm on the ticket. I hope people will turn up to vote for Buekes though.
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((T isn't even next to W >.< so many typos within my manifesto))
Vote for a brighter future America!!
Vote for a brighter future America!!
((No, its under the same reason for why candidates cant vote for each other, the running-mate votes cancle each other out))
((Thats reasonable enough.))
Vote Jamous/Howard for greater, stronger and invigorated America!
Thomas Howard
Senator of Massachusetts & CEO of Howard Industries
Defender of Eqality and the freedom of choice
The votes are almost evenly distributed so far. This will be a spirited election, I can tell.
(( I just messaged Portglen to see if hes still following this AAR and he replied back saying he's still following and voted for Jamous by pming BBB. I guess that means the New Democrats have another vote))
