Editing Wide Awakes (section)

===Social dimensions===
Whatever their names, marching clubs of both parties often had bands and fancy uniforms. The social dimensions have been described:<ref>Glenn C. Altschuler and Stuart M. Blumin; ''Rude Republic: Americans and Their Politics in the Nineteenth Century'' Princeton University Press (2000), p.&nbsp;63.</ref>

<blockquote>The young men and boys who joined the Wide-Awakes, Invincibles, and other marching clubs were sold inexpensive uniforms and taught impressive march maneuvers. In Marion the Wide-Awake uniform consisted of an [[oilcloth|oil cloth]] cape and cap and a red sash, which along with a lamp or torch cost $1.33. Their "[[split-rail fence|worm fence]] march" can be imagined, as can a nice connection to Lincoln as rail splitter—a connection that does remind us of the log-cabin and hard cider symbolism of earlier days [of 1840]. The more important connection to be made, however, is to the "militia fever" of the 1850s. Many Americans north and south delighted in military uniforms and titles, musters and parades, and the formal balls their companies sponsored during the winter social season. Their younger brothers no doubt delighted in aping them, so far as $1.33 would allow, while their parents were provided with a means by which youthful rowdyism was, for a time, channeled into a military form of discipline. The regular campaign clubs, meanwhile, were given a different attraction. One of the first items of business, once the club was organized, was to invite "the ladies" to meetings. Many members were single young men, and the campaign occurred during a relatively slow social season following the picnics, steamboat excursions, and other outings of the summer, and preceding the balls sponsored by militia companies, fire companies, and fraternal lodges during the winter. Campaign clubs helped to extend and connect the social seasons for single young men and women, and gave both an occasion for high-spirited travel. "Coming home there was fun," wrote the Democratic editor of a [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]] Republican club excursion to a rally in [[Galena, Illinois|Galena]]. "There were frequent 'three cheers for Miss Nancy Rogers.' ... Captain Pat Conger was the best looking man on the ground and we can only say that it is a pity he is not a Democrat."</blockquote>