Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Robert Bruce Van Valkenburgh, born near Rochester, September 4th 1821. This eloquent attorney served one state house term as a Whig and two as a Republican.  In 1860, Van Valkenburg won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He voted for the Thirteenth Amendment and the Freedmen’s Bureau. While in Congress, he organized various regiments and commanded an infantry regiment at Battle of Antietam. After two terms, Van Valkenburgh served as Ambassador to Japan. Returning home, settled at Jacksonville for the climate and planted citrus orchards. In 1874, a Republican governor named him to the Florida Supreme Court. 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 t...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the first State Dinner away from Washington. September 3rd 1970, President Richard Nixon hosted Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz at the legendary Hotel del Coronado, near San Diego.  Nixon expressed appreciation for friendship between the two countries. He also predicted that "the name of Diaz Ordaz will always be honored in Mexico as one of Mexico’s great Presidents." Among the one thousand attendees were Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra and John Wayne. 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 i...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Stewart Woodford, born in New York City, September 3rd 1835. This young Republican studied law after graduating from Columbia University. He supported Abraham Lincoln at the GOP’s 1860 national convention. The new President named him Assistant U.S. Attorney. During the Civil War, Woodford served as chief of staff to a general. He later commanded the 103rd U.S. Colored Infantry. His regiment of former slaves deployed to South Carolina and Georgia. Peace restored, Woodford was elected Lieutenant Governor and won a congressional term. The 1875 Civil Rights Act received his vote. Rutherford Hayes made him a U.S. Attorney.  William McKinley named him Ambassador to Spain. 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 ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I revere the Charles Sumner School. This architectural jewel was the first public school in our nation’s capital for educating African-American children. It opened September 2nd 1872. Soon to follow – the Stevens School and the Lincoln School. They were constructed by the city’s Republican administration. These schools were named for Republican civil rights heroes: Senator Charles Sumner, Representative Thaddeus Stevens and President Abraham Lincoln. All three men are depicted on the cover of Back to Basics for the Republican Party. Classes ended in 1978, and the building is now the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. It displays artifacts and exhibits about the Senator. 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 De...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commend Thomas Hicks, born in Maryland, September 2nd 1798. He prospered with merchandising and boat building, and served in the state house. After his Whig Party faded, he joined the American Party and in 1857 was elected governor. Outbreak of civil war, Hicks advocated "a neutral position between our brethren of the North and of the South." Within days, however, he made a choice, devoting "himself with untiring industry, and an ever watchful patriotism, by every legal means to crush out the spirit of secession, and to retain the State in her allegiance to the Union." December 1862, a Republican governor named him to a U.S. Senate vacancy. Hicks voted for the GOP's 13th Amendment to abolish slavery and endorsed Abraham Lincoln's re-election. President Lincoln attended his funeral. Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights histo...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I laud William Hoppin, born in Providence, September 1st 1807. He attended Yale College and Yale Law School. Entry to politics was city councilman, then state senator. In 1854, Hoppin won the governorship, as a Whig. During his third one-year term, he was delegate to the first Republican National Convention. This notable statesman campaigned for John Femont and Abraham Lincoln, and represented his state at the Washington Peace Conference. He contributed funds for Union army recruitment. Later years, Hoppin returned to the legislature while managing various businesses and charities. 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.grand...