Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute John Martin, born March 10th 1839. He apprenticed as printer for a Pittsburgh newspaper. Age nineteen, the anti-slavery activist relocated to Kansas and published his own newspaper,  Freedom's Champion . Martin helped establish both the state GOP and the state government. He was delegate for the 1860 Republican National Convention and a state senator.   Outbreak of Civil War, a Republican governor commissioned him lieutenant colonel of the 8th Kansas Infantry. His regiment fought at Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. Promoted to colonel, he was elected mayor of Atchison. Martin chaired his county GOP, attended several more national conventions and served as national committeeman. He founded the Kansas Historical Society. Enthusiastic support by military veterans won him the governorship in 1884 and 1886. H...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Frederick Smyth, born in New Hampshire, March 9th 1819. Despite limited education, he achieved success as banker and railroad executive. Age thirty-three, the savvy businessman was elected mayor of Manchester. His administration installed the city's first sewers and sidewalks and streetlights. Joining the Grand New Party at its formation, Smyth won a state house seat. Chairing the 1860 NHGOP convention, he introduced Abraham Lincoln as "the next President of the United States." President Lincoln named him commissioner to the London International Exhibition. Back home, Smyth fundraised for the Union war effort and visited wounded soldiers. He won another term as mayor. In 1865, he was elected Governor. Highlights included refinancing Civil War debt, ratifying the 14th Amendment and founding the state university. President Ruthe...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate origin of the Missouri Republican Party. March 9th 1860, one hundred fifty-three friends of freedom gathered at Mercantile Library Hall in St. Louis. They selected delegates to the GOP’s upcoming national convention. Presiding over the event was a newspaper editor and former state representative, Gratz Brown. Attendees named him party chairman. He went on to be Union Army Colonel and U.S. Senator. 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 arti...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight the musical talent of our 37th President. March 8th 1963, Richard Nixon played a concerto he himself had composed. It was on  The Jack Paar Show : Here is a video of the performance: https://youtu.be/MCsGSMze_6Q November 1959, with Jack Benny on the violin, he played  The Missouri Waltz : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ArB8_CQX-U April 1969, the President played and sang  Happy Birthday  for Duke Ellington: https://youtu.be/RAMm5qn50VA March 1974 ,  Nixon accompanied Pearl Bailey singing  My Wild Irish Rose : https://youtu.be/G7hLY91FU0k   A week later, he performed God Bless America at opening of the new Grand Ole Opry House: https://youtu.be/wGLPy9wc5uk   Back to Basics for the Republican Party  is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Rep...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Nehemiah Green, born March 8th 1837. After attending Ohio Wesleyan University, the young Republican became a Methodist preacher. He served as lieutenant in that state’s 153rd Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Peace restored, Green settled in Kansas, having resided there before the war. Just a year later, he was elected Lieutenant Governor. Two months before his term ended, the Governor resigned, making him the 4th Governor. He later was regent of Kansas State University and 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  about this article. H...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I spotlight the 40th Congress. Elected soon after the Civil War, it convened on March 4th 1867. Of the 53 Senators, 41 were Republicans and of 191 Representatives, 134 were Republicans. They made Benjamin Wade the President Pro Tempore and Schuyler Colfax the Speaker of the House. That day, the GOP held 77% of Senate seats and 70% of House seats. Voters in the North appreciated the Party of Lincoln for saving the Union. In the South, only one Confederate state had been re-admitted. Over next two years, seven more states were re-admitted. Republicans there were generally in control, as former slaves could vote and most former rebels could not. By end of the 40th Congress, the Senate was 86% GOP and the House 77%. Though Republicans accomplished much, progress was hindered by the Democrat president, Andrew Johnson. Back to Basics for the Republican Party...