Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute David Henderson, born in Scotland, March 14th 1840. Immigrating as a child, he settled near Cedar Rapids. The courageous lieutenant lost a foot in combat while serving with the 12th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War. He re-enlisted to command the state’s 46th Infantry. Peace restored, Henderson studied law and was a collector of internal revenue. President Ulysses Grant named him an assistant U.S. district attorney. In 1882, he won first of ten congressional terms, rising to be Speaker of the House. It was Henderson who created the Majority Leader position, to lead his party on the House floor, separately from the Speaker. 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 futur...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I appreciate Republican reverence for the family. March 13th 1905, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech to the National Congress of Mothers. This organization focused on improving education, health and safety for children and youth. Four hundred delegates gathered at a Washington, DC hotel ballroom to hear the President say: "On the whole, I think the duty of the woman the more important, the more difficult, and the more honorable of the two; on the whole I respect the woman who does her duty even more than I respect the man who does his. No ordinary work done by a man is either as hard or as responsible as the work of a woman who is bringing up a family of small children; for upon her time and strength demands are made not only every hour of the day but often every hour of the night." "I believe in the woman kee...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute George Washington Fleeger, born near Pittsburgh, March 13th 1839. During the Civil War, he was captain with the 40th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His regiment fought at Second Bull Run, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. Peace restored, Fleeger studied law, served in the state house and chaired the state GOP. In 1884, he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Shortly before death, he dedicated a  Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument . Colleagues remembered him as "an honest man, a good citizen, a brave soldier." 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  YouTu...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Arnold Krekel, born in Germany, March 12th 1815. He settled in Missouri after immigrating as a teen. His career began with surveying, followed by practicing law and publishing a newspaper. Krekel was delegate for the 1860 Republican National Convention. During the Civil War, he commanded a militia regiment. January 1865, he presided over a state convention that abolished slavery - and was first to sign the proclamation. Two months later, President Abraham Lincoln named him federal judge. 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 ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the Connecticut GOP’s first convention. A preliminary meeting in February 1856 had called for Republicans "to oppose the extension of Slavery and resist all attempts to convert it into a national interest, when the Constitution recognizes it only as a local and State institution; to maintain the rightful jurisdiction of the Union, over the Territories, and to defend the rights of the people therein." March 12th, delegates met at Union Hotel in Hartford to establish an organizational structure. They named insurance executive James Bunce central committee chairman. He then served as delegate for the national convention.  The platform was brief yet powerful. "You have been appointed to responsible duties in the cause of freedom. Action — prompt, energetic, decisive action — is demanded. "O...