Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Israel Washburn, born June 6th 1813. The young attorney served in the Maine legislature. In 1850, as a Whig, he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. During a second term, this civil rights activist played a pivotal role in formation of the Republican Party. Outraged by a Democrat scheme to extend slavery into the western territories, he chaired a meeting of thirty congressmen, who called on all friends of freedom to unite politically. Washburn was the first Member of Congress to declare himself a Republican. Civil war looming, Washburn won the governorship. His administration vigorously supported the Union military effort. President Abraham Lincoln later appointed him collector of customs. Israel had equally prominent brothers – a Congressman, a Senator, a Governor, an Ambassador, and a naval hero. He was eulogized as "a pillar of integrity, loyalty...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate a major civil rights advance. June 5th 1956, Frank Johnson and another federal judge ruled in favor of Rosa Parks. The decision Browder v. Gayle struck down a notorious Democrat law. No longer in Montgomery, Alabama would Blacks have to ride in the back of the bus. Johnson, a life-long Republican, had been appointed to the federal bench by President Dwight Eisenhower. He went on to support Martin Luther King against racist Democrats. 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 about this article. Here is an Instagram Video about this article. Here is ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I laud Charles Hoard, born in Vermont, June 5th 1805. He learned to be a skilled mechanic. His factory manufactured portable steam engines. Hoard entered politics with election to the New York legislature. Originally a Democrat, he joined the anti-slavery Free Soil Party before becoming a Republican. In 1856, he won first of two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the Civil War, his factory manufactured rifles for the Union army. Peace restored, Hoard undertook railroad and mining and lumber and other economic development projects in West Virginia. He was remembered as "a conscientious man, who had done his whole duty." 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 Democrat...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate William Howard Taft's visit to Jackson, Michigan. June 4th 1910, the girthy President arrived to dedicate a monument for the GOP's first-ever state convention.  After thousands of Republicans paraded to the site, Taft unveiled a plaque affixed to a boulder. He then delivered an address about socialism being "the next great problem that confronts the American people." A newspaper reported him to be "a great, big, wholesome cordial man and there's not a little thing about him. Those who met him personally were charmed with his wholesome, hearty manner." An editorial wrote: "Let us all hope that this pebble is not to remain there indefinitely. I have faith to believe that some day not far distant, the national Republican Party will take steps to create a Republican park to designate the spot u...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Robert Anderson, born June 4th 1910. He taught high school before attending University of Texas Law School. The young lawyer was an assistant state attorney general, then tax commissioner. His next step was buying a radio station. Anderson served as aide to the Secretary of War during WWII. Dwight Eisenhower appointed him Secretary of the Navy. He ended the last vestiges of racial segregation and upgraded shipboard technologies. A year later, the President named him Deputy Secretary of Defense. Anderson, he said, "is just about the ablest man that I know. He would make a splendid President." Eisenhower tried to replace Richard Nixon with Anderson on the 1956 ticket, then named him Treasury Secretary. In 1960, the President again supported him for the vice presidential nomination. He carried out special assignments for the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight the birthplace of our 37th President. Richard Nixon was born at the family home in Yorba Linda, California on January 9th 1913. The house had been constructed by his father with a mail-order kit, possibly from Sears. May 31st 1973, the Interior Secretary designated it a National Historic Landmark. Also on the site are the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, as well as his grave and that of wife Pat. 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  about this article. Here is an  Instagram Video  about this a...