Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Mary Abigail Dodge, born in Massachusetts, March 31st 1833. She rose to fame while working as governess for the family of a co-founder of the Republican Party, Gamaliel Bailey. Reporting for his anti-slavery newspaper about Washington politics made Dodge one of the nation’s first female political correspondents. Later years, she wrote essays about the need to develop greater education and employment opportunities for women. Her cousin was wife of James Blaine, the GOP’s 1884 presidential nominee. Dodge wrote campaign speeches for him and helped write his memoirs. Reacting to his defeat, she originated the idea for permanent Republican clubs, to maintain political involvement between election campaigns. Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republi...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight the Architect of the Capitol. March 30th 1867, the GOP-controlled 40th Congress established this agency, replacing a Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds.  Previously, an 'Architect of the Capitol Extension' had overseen construction of the new dome and chambers. Edward Clark was the first such official with broadened responsibilities and his title was changed to 'Architect of the Capitol'. In 1921, the GOP-controlled 69th Congress made this name change permanent. Aside from the Capitol, the agency now has responsibility for congressional offices, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court building and other facilities. 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 abou...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I lament the death of George Ashburn. This courageous Republican was the first person murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Georgia. He had commanded a regiment of southern Unionists during the Civil War and then chaired a convention that wrote a new state constitution. Democrats hated Ashburn for supporting the civil rights of African-Americans. March 30th 1868, Klansmen shot him after he delivered a speech to a racially-mixed audience at the Temperance Hall in Columbus. Alexander Stephens, former Confederate Vice President, offered to defend the murderers. 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 appreciate the contributions to public health by Surgeon Generals. This position was established by the GOP-controlled 42nd Congress. March 29th 1871, President Ulysses Grant appointed the first Surgeon General. John Woolworth had been a Union Army doctor. He wore a naval uniform because, at first, he was Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service. The title was soon changed to Supervising Surgeon General, and then to Surgeon General by the Theodore Roosevelt administration. 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 salute Ralph Plumb, born March 29th 1816. At first a gardener, he prospered as a merchant. This anti-slavery activist won election to the Ohio state house and studied law. During the Civil War, Colonel Plumb served as quartermaster for another Republican, General James Garfield. Peace restored, investing in the coal and railroad industries led him to Illinois. He founded the town Streator and was its first mayor. In 1884, Plumb won first of two congressional terms. Later years focused on banking. 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 William Moore, born in Alabama, March 28th 1830. Leaving school at age twelve, the farm boy clerked at a Nashville dry goods store. After three years in New York City, he settled at Memphis. His business would become one of the South's largest wholesalers. Outbreak of civil war, Moore rejected secession. His area soon occupied by Union forces, he emerged as a civic leader. In 1880, this enterprising Republican won a congressional term. He declined another nomination but did serve later in the state house. His fortune endowed the William Moore College of Technology. 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, se...