Grand Old Partisan

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...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Leverett Saltonstall, born near Boston, September 1st 1892. He graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He was an artillery lieutenant during WWI. The young Republican entered politics as town councilman then county prosecutor. In 1922, Saltonstall won election to the state house, later becoming speaker. After a narrow loss for lieutenant governor, he was elected governor in 1938. His thrifty administration lowered taxes and reduced state debt. Grateful voters re-elected him twice. In 1944, Saltonstall won first of three U.S. Senate terms. He was among American officials to inspect Nazi death camps after liberation. Colleagues named him caucus chair. Laws receiving his support included the 1957, 1960, 1964 Civil Rights Acts and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Jacob Brinkerhoff, born August 31st 1810. He began practicing law in Ohio and soon was elected county prosecutor. In 1842, Brinkerhoff first won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, as a Democrat. Being opposed to slavery led him to join the Free Soil Party. During the Mexican War, he drafted a resolution barring slavery from any territory that might be acquired. By arrangement, whichever of several congressmen recognized by the Speaker would introduce it. Fortune smiled on David Wilmot, for whom it became known as the Wilmot Proviso. Back to Basics for the Republican Party   explained that this proposed legislation divided the American people into two groups, pro-slavery Democrats – and friends of freedom who would soon establish the GOP. Brinkerhoff attended several Republican National Conventions. He served twelve years as Chief Justice of...