Steady “word-of-mouth” growth turns tidal wave following a fight.
A fracas in Northern Connecticut on March 15th rocks the state. Now numbering 100, the Hartford Wide Awakes are invited to Waterbury CT to join a Party Convention rally. The boys arrive well-drilled and decked out in matching uniforms. They are amazed to find 500 other young people from nearby towns who had made their own Wide Awake uniforms. With the Hartford boys in front, a parade of young Republicans march to the town gazebo to listen to Republican office-seekers. Attacked during the rally, Chalker leads a sprawling battle in the alleys of town, chasing down and beating up the dozen bottle-throwing pro-slavery hecklers. When the Hartford kids return to the rally, they become the heroes of the day. Following the scalable structure of the military, that night, a new “company” of Wide Awakes forms in Waterbury. The next day, companies form in New Haven, New Britain, and in other towns. Young people see themselves as soldiers for progressivism.