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a Soldiers and Sailors Convention empowered Republicans after the Civil War

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the Soldiers and Sailors Convention. It began on September 25th 1866, in Pittsburgh. Union Army and Navy veterans, who had defeated the Confederacy, were angry to see Andrew Johnson, the Democrat President, allying with the former rebels. Led by General Jacob Cox, the Republican Governor of Ohio, friends of freedom gathered to support the GOP and its civil rights agenda. James Negley, a nother former General, chaired the arrangements committee. This steadfast Republican later won three terms in Congress. Five thousand people assembled under an immense tent, with another twenty thousand outside. A parade and a choir and a band provided entertainment before the speeches. The keynote address was delivered by Edwin Dudley. He had resigned from a Treasury Department job when refused three days off to attend the event. The former private thun...
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Joseph Gravely, southern-born Union Army Colonel and Lieutenant Governor of Missouri

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Joseph Gravely, born in Virginia, September 25th 1828. He studied law while tending to his farm, then won election to the state house. Gravely relocated to Missouri and participated in an 1860 constitutional convention. During the Civil War, this Republican state senator commanded the 8th Militia Cavalry. Peace restored, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Highlights of his term included voting for the 15th Amendment and several Reconstruction Acts. In 1870, Gravely was elected Lieutenant Governor. He died after serving fifteen months, age forty-three. 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 ...
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the first Republican Presidential Nominee to Campaign in Mississippi

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight the first time in a century that a presidential nominee campaigned in Mississippi. September 24th 1960, Richard Nixon addressed thousands of supporters at Jackson as well as radio and television audiences. Speaking from the steps of the governor’s mansion, the Vice President emphasized his commitment to protecting civil rights. He then observed that progress in the state had not come "primarily from government, but it has come from the activities of hundreds of thousands of individual Mississippians given an opportunity to develop their own lives. I want for this country and I want for the people of this State, for the people of all of our States, the kind of government in which we can have better jobs, better housing, better schools, better medical care." From there, Nixon noted that Democrats were offering the same old ...
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William Jay Smith, patriotic Union Army Colonel and Tennessee Republican Congressman

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute William Jay Smith, born September 24th 1823. Immigrating from England as a child, he apprenticed to be a printer. Settling in Tennessee, this patriotic youth volunteered for the army during the Mexican war. Smith farmed near Memphis. Outbreak of civil war, he enlisted with the Union Army as colonel of the 6th (U.S.) Tennessee Cavalry. His regiment battled locally and in Mississippi. Peace restored, Smith served in a constitutional convention and in both houses of the legislature. He was delegate at two Republican National Conventions. November 1868, he won a term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Among the GOP initiatives receiving his vote were the Judiciary Act and the [anti-] Ku Klux Klan Act. President Ulysses Grant named him port surveyor of Memphis. Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote ...
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Chester Arthur safeguarding the Order of Presidential Succession

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight a constitutional conundrum resulting from the murder of President James Garfield. On his death, September 19th 1881, Vice President Chester Arthur assumed office, but it was unclear who would succeed him, were there another tragedy. Back then, next in order of succession was the Senate President pro Tempore. Unfortunately, being even divided between Republicans and Democrats, the Senate had been unable to elect someone. Congress was in recess at the time, so prudence required the new Republican President to take action. Before traveling from Manhattan to Washington, Arthur mailed to the White House a proclamation calling the Senate into special session. Arriving safely, he issued in its place a formal proclamation, dated September 23rd: "I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, have considered it to be my duty ...
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Case Broderick, patriotic Kansas Republican Congressman

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Case Broderick, born near Indianapolis, September 23rd 1839. Age nineteen, he moved to Kansas and purchased a small farm. Outbreak of civil war, this patriotic youth conveyed food to local forts. He later enlisted with the state’s 2nd Light Artillery. His battery fought in Missouri and Arkansas. Peace restored, Broderick studied law. As a Republican, he was elected small town mayor, then county prosecutor, then state senator. President Chester Arthur named him to the Idaho territorial supreme court. Back home, he practiced law and raised livestock. In 1890, Broderick won first of four congressional terms. 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 mo...
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Theodore Roosevelt envisions the Future of America

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Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I highlight the wisdom of Theodore Roosevelt. September 22nd 1902, that magnificent Republican addressed military veterans gathered in Detroit: "No great destiny ever came to a people who feared the future, who feared failure more than they hoped for success." "Stout of heart, we see across the dangers the great future that lies beyond, and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man girt for the race; and we go down into the arena where the nations strive for mastery." At the 1988 Republican National Convention, Ronald Reagan quoted TR's speech: " Our hearts lifted with the faith that to us and to our children it shall be given to make this Republic the mightiest among the peoples of mankind." Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The ...
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