Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan honors William Washburn, born January 31st 1820. His was a renowned family of anti-slavery activists who contributed to formation of the Republican Party in several states. After three years clerking at a store, he attended Yale. This savvy businessman established a chair factory, then a bank. He served in both houses of the Massachusetts legislature. Washburn joined the Massachusetts Republican Party at its formation. In 1862, he won first of five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. There, he vigorously supported the Union cause and efforts to defend emancipated slaves from Democrats. In 1871, this titan won first of three one-year terms as Governor. The legislature elected him to a U.S. Senate vacancy caused by the death of Charles Sumner. Retired from politics, Washburn focused on the Methodist Church and on institutions of higher education. He died while attending a meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missio...

Grand Old Partisan congratulates the Republican Party for abolishing slavery. Overcoming intense Democrat opposition, January 31st 1865, the GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution submitting the 13th Amendment to the states for ratification. Written by Republican Senator Lyman Trumbull, the measure had been already been passed by the GOP-dominated Senate. Republicans voted unanimously to emancipate African-Americans, while most Democrat Congressmen voted to keep them in chains. "The final announcement of the vote was the sequel for a whirlwind of applause wholly unprecedented in Congressional annals. The galleries led off, giving cheer after cheer. The members on the floor then joined in the shouting, throwing up their hats and clapping their hands." Abolishing slavery had been in the platform of the 1864 Republican National Convention. Though a President's approval is not required for constitutional amendments, Abraha...

"He was honest and honorable in all his dealings." Grand Old Partisan salutes John Taffe, born in Indianapolis, January 30th 1827. He taught school and studied law, then relocated to Omaha. This young Republican won several terms in the territorial legislature and edited a newspaper. During the Civil War, Taffe served as major with the 2nd Nebraska Cavalry. Peace restored, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, taking office three days after his state joined the Union. Highlights of three terms included voting for the [anti-] Ku Klux Klan and the Judiciary Act, as well as chairing the territories committee. He founded the Omaha Public Library. 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 salutes Charles Joyce, born in England, January 30th 1830. He immigrated to Vermont as a child. Law studies followed several years teaching school. He was elected county prosecutor. During the Civil War, Joyce served as lieutenant colonel with the state’s 2nd volunteer infantry. His regiment fought at Bull Run and Fredericksburg. This gallant Republican rose to be speaker of the state house. In 1874, he won first of four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.  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 my  Substa...

Grand Old Partisan salutes Benjamin Franklin Potts, born near Akron, January 29th 1836. Law studies followed clerking at a store and teaching school. He was delegate for the 1860 Democratic National Convention.  Outbreak of civil war, Potts enlisted as captain with the 42nd Ohio infantry, commanded by James Garfield. His regiment battled through Arkansas and Mississippi. Leadership ability merited promotion to brigadier general. Peace restored, Potts left the Slavery Party and became a Republican. Grateful constituents elected him to the state senate. President Ulysses Grant named him Governor of Montana Territory, though he delayed the appointment until after voting for the 15th Amendment. His thirteen years in office focused on economic development and political stability. 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 pa...

Grand Old Partisan commends Republican respect for women. January 29th 1866, GOP leader Thaddeus Stevens presented in the House of Representatives a petition for extending voting rights to women. The first page was signed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone and other members of the Women's Loyal National League, a Republican-aligned organization: "The undersigned, Women of the United States, respectfully ask an Amendment of the Constitution that shall prohibit the several States from disenfranchising any of their citizens on the ground of sex. "In making our demand for Suffrage, we call your attention to the fact that we represent fifteen million people — one-half of the entire population of the country — intelligent, virtuous, native-born American citizens; and yet stand outside the pale of political recognition. "The Constitution classifies us as 'free people' and c...

Grand Old Partisan salutes Andrew Jackson Hamilton, born in Alabama, January 28th 1815. He studied law and in 1846 moved to Texas. Three years later, the governor appointed him attorney general. He then served a term in the legislature. Unlike most other Democrats, Colossal Jack opposed slavery. In 1858, he was elected, as an independent, to the U.S. House of Representatives. Two years later, Hamilton won election for the state senate but was not seated after refusing to take a Confederate loyalty oath. He escaped via Mexico, then delivered patriotic speeches in several northern cities. November 1862, Abraham Lincoln commissioned Hamilton a brigadier general and named him Military Governor of Texas. A Union offensive there failed, so he spent most of the Civil War in New Orleans. Peace restored, the President confirmed him as Provisional Governor. Governor Hamilton aligned himself with Republicans radically opposed to slaver...