An association of “Black Republicans,” formed in 1860.
1860. Mr. Wigfall of Texas: “The Senator from New York told his John-Brown, Wide-Awake Prætorians that their services could not be dispensed with.” Mr. Seward: “[I never said] that the Wide-Awakes were to be kept organized, disciplined, and uniformed.” Mr. Wigfall: “This Wide-Awake Association has produced an immense amount of excitement and bitter feeling.”—U.S. Senate, Dec. 12: Cong. Globe, p. 75/1.
1861. The John Brown and Helper characteristics are … put on to proselyte the churches and the old women, and put off to placate wide-awakes and the old Whigs.—Mr. Samuel S. Cox, of Ohio, House of Repr., Jan. 14: id., p. 376/2.
