Posts

Alonzo Edgerton, resolute Republican Colonel and Senator and Judge

Image
Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Alonzo Edgerton, born in upstate New York, June 7th 1827. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he taught school while studying law. He relocated to Minnesota in 1855. While a county prosecutor, Edgerton won election to the state senate. Outbreak of civil war, he recruited a company of volunteers and enlisted as captain. Leadership ability merited promotion to Colonel of the 67th U.S. Colored Infantry. In 1871, a Republican governor named Edgerton railroad commissioner. This he followed with a state house term. In 1881, another Republican governor appointed him a U.S. Senator for seven months. President Benjamin Harrison named him to the federal bench. 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 De...
Post a Comment
Read more

the Chicago Suffrage Parade

Image
Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I commemorate the Chicago Suffrage Parade. That city was site of the 1916 Republican National Convention. June 7th, five thousand women braved a thunderstorm to march through downtown. Elevating the mood were a brass band and an elephant symbolizing the GOP.  They were welcomed at the auditorium by Republican Senator William Borah. Their goal was a platform plank in support of women’s right to vote. The convention did indeed endorse women’s suffrage. 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. He...
Post a Comment
Read more

President Trump at the D-Day 75th Anniversary

Image
Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I extol President Donald Trump's speech commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day: "President Macron, Mrs. Macron, and the people of France; to the first lady of the United States and members of the United States Congress; to distinguished guests, veterans and my fellow Americans: We are gathered here on Freedom’s Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, 10,000 men shed their blood, and thousands sacrificed their lives, for their brothers, for their countries and for the survival of liberty. Today, we remember those who fell, and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They won back this ground for civilization. 9,388 young Americans rest beneath the white crosses and Stars of David arrayed on these beautiful grounds. Each one has been adopted by a French family that thinks of him as their own. They come fro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Israel Washburn, the first-ever Republican Congressman

Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

the Democrats' blacks-in-the-back-of-the-bus law

Image
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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Charles Hoard, industrious and patriotic Republican Congressman

Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

President Taft's visit to Jackson, Michigan – site of the first GOP state convention

Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more