Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight a musical milestone. February 17th 1882, a group of African-American vocalists entertained Chester Arthur and guests at the White House. Known as the Jubilee Singers, they performed a sophisticated medley of spirituals including  Swing Low, Sweet Chariot  and  Safe in the Arms of Jesus .  Said the choirmaster: "I never saw a man so deeply moved, and I shall always believe President Arthur to be a truly good man." It was reported that he was moved to tears. Ten years earlier, Jubilee Singers had performed for President Ulysses Grant and Vice President Henry Wilson. 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...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I applaud Salvatore Bono, born in Detroit, February 16th 1935. Knowm as Sonny, he rose to fame as songwriter, singer and actor. Political activism began with opposing burdensome regulation and taxation of his restaurant in Palm Springs. Determined to do something about it, Sonny ran for mayor and won. In 1994, Bono won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. This conservative Republican observed about illegal immigration: "What’s to talk about? It’s illegal." His charisma made him a popular speaker. He died in a skiing accident during a second term. 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  a...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Chauncey Cleveland, born in Connecticut, February 16th 1799. The distinguished attorney served ten years in the state house then was banking commissioner. He twice won the governorship, as a Democrat, and went on to win two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Having left the Slavery Party for the GOP, Cleveland attended the 1856 and 1860 Republican National Conventions. He cast an electoral vote for Abraham Lincoln and attended a conference intended to prevent secession. There followed election as speaker of the state house. 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 ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Susan B. Anthony, born in Massachusetts, February 15th 1820. 'B. for Brownell' was related to President Eisenhower's Attorney General, Herbert Brownell, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and author of the 1957 Civil Rights Act. Her career began with teaching at a Quaker boarding school. She joined the American Anti-Slavery Society and campaigned for GOP candidates. In 1860, the Wide Awakes, a Republican marching club, serenaded Anthony and her colleague Elizabeth Cady Stanton to thank them for their support. They founded the Women's Loyal National League, which presented to Congress signatures of nearly 400,000 Republican women in support of the GOP's constitutional amendment to ban slavery. Peace restored, the two suffragists established the American Equal Rights Association and th...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I appreciate Elihu Root, born in upstate New York, February 15th 1845. After attending Hamilton College and New York University School of Law, he built up a successful legal practice with varied prominent clients. President Chester Arthur named him U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Root was Secretary of War in the administrations of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Achievements of his five years in office included expanding West Point as well as establishing the Army War College and the General Staff. Root keynoted the GOP's 1904 national convention. Months later, Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of State. He advocated an Open Door policy toward Asia, toured Latin America and advocated cooperation with the region. In 1909, the GOP-controlled legislature elected him a U.S. Senator. Three years later, Root received the Nobel Peace Prize. He conte...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Anson Safford, born February 14th 1830. After mining for gold in California, he won two state house terms. Outbreak of civil war, patriotism led him to become a Republican. Early 1862, Safford relocated to Nevada and was elected county commissioner. He chaired the first territorial GOP convention. There followed two years as state surveyor. President Ulysses Grant named him Governor of Arizona Territory. Highlights of his eight years in office were establishing public schools and reducing crime While in the private sector, Safford financed several mines and opened a bank. He was delegate for the 1880 Republican National Convention. 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 th...