Grand Old Partisan

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I laud William Hoppin, born in Providence, September 1st 1807. He attended Yale College and Yale Law School. Entry to politics was city councilman, then state senator. In 1854, Hoppin won the governorship, as a Whig. During his third one-year term, he was delegate to the first Republican National Convention. This notable statesman campaigned for John Femont and Abraham Lincoln, and represented his state at the Washington Peace Conference. He contributed funds for Union army recruitment. Later years, Hoppin returned to the legislature while managing various businesses and charities. 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 ...

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Leverett Saltonstall, born near Boston, September 1st 1892. He graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He was an artillery lieutenant during WWI. The young Republican entered politics as town councilman then county prosecutor. In 1922, Saltonstall first won election to the state house, later becoming speaker. After a narrow loss for lieutenant governor, he was elected governor in 1938. His thrifty administration lowered taxes and reduced state debt. Grateful voters re-elected him twice. In 1944, Saltonstall won first of three U.S. Senate terms. He was among American officials who inspected Nazi death camps after liberation. Colleagues named him caucus chair. Laws receiving his support included the 1957, 1960, 1964 Civil Rights Acts and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civi...