saluting Harrison Gray Otis Blake


Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Harrison Gray Otis Blake, born March 17th 1818. He moved from Vermont to Ohio and studied law. Political activity began in the state house, then the state senate. His residence was a haven along the Underground Railroad.


In 1858, Blake won election to Congress. He delivered memorable speeches against slavery. Receiving his vote were the DC Emancipation Act, the Homestead Act, the Territories Emancipation Act, the Pacific Railways Act and the Land Grant Colleges Act.

During the Civil War, rather than run for a third term, this patriotic Republican enlisted as Colonel of the 166th Ohio Infantry. His regiment helped defend Washington, DC from rebel attack.
Peace restored, Blake focused on banking and merchandising. Grateful neighbors elected him mayor of Medina. He declined appointment as governor of Idaho Territory.

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 Substack about this article.

Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.


Each day, his YouTube videos and TikTok videos and Rumble videos and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states.

Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.

"This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!"

"Your book is a national treasure. I'm always recommending it."

"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."

and

"one of the best books I ever read"

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