Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I highlight Ronald Reagan's commencement address at his alma mater. May 9th 1982, the President spoke at Eureka College, in central Illinois, where he had graduated fifty years before. His remarks focused on relations with the Soviet Union, an empire which  The Gipper  would help bring down. He noted that "Graduation Day is called 'Commencement' and properly so, because it is both a recognition of completion and a beginning. And I would like, seriously, to talk to you about this new phase — the society in which you're now going to take your place as full-time participants. You're no longer observers. You'll be called upon to make decisions and express your views on global events, because those events will affect your lives." Later that day, President Reagan spoke at the alumni association dinner. His remark...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute James Cooper, born in Maryland, May 8th 1810. He studied law with Thaddeus Stevens, later titan of the early GOP, then practiced law at Gettysburg. Cooper won two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He next served several terms in the Pennsylvania state house, becoming its speaker. In 1848, a Whig governor named him attorney general. Following year, the legislature elected him a U.S. Senator. Outbreak of civil war, President Lincoln authorized him to recruit a brigade of Maryland Unionists. General Cooper led his troops through West Virginia. Ill health forced transfer to command a training camp in Ohio, where he died in 1863. Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Delafield Smith, born in Rochester, May 8th 1826. Abraham Lincoln named him U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He is best remembered for prosecuting a slave trader. He convinced the President not to pardon him, resulting in the man being hanged.  Smith prosecuted the Democrat ringleader of the New York Draft Riots. He co-founded the prestigious Union League Club. Later years focused on working for the city and teaching law. Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry about the future of theirs. For more information, see  www.grandoldpartisan.com .  Here is a  YouTube Video  about this article. Here is a  TikTok Video  about this article. Here is an...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. May 7th 1990, President George H. Bush issued its first proclamation: "The history of Asian and Pacific Americans in the United States is a long and honorable one. Determined to uphold America's promise of freedom and opportunity for all, generations of Asian and Pacific men and women have helped this Nation to grow and prosper. A century and a half ago, many of these Americans contributed to the economic development of the United States through their labors on the plantations of Hawaii and in the mines of California. The important role played by many Asian and Pacific Americans in the building of the first transcontinental railroad is well documented; their determination and hard work are well known. With diligent effort and abiding faith in the American Dream, Asian and Pacific Americans ha...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor John Mott, born near Raleigh, May 7th 1834. He studied medicine in Philadelphia, then returned home to set up a practice. During the Civil War, he opposed the Confederacy, being steadfast in zeal for the Union. Peace restored, this entrepreneurial-minded doctor managed a railroad. Political involvement began in 1866, with election to the state house. Mott joined the North Carolina GOP at its formation. President Ulysses Grant appointed him a federal tax collector. Starting in 1876, he chaired the state party ten years. Under his firm leadership, Republicans strongly contested Democrat dominance and oppression. At times, he allied with Populists to win close elections. Miffed at having lost out for a U.S. Senate nomination, Mott endorsed the Democrats’ 1896 presidential nominee. Later years, he promoted hydroelectric inve...