The convoluted history of the Republican Party reveals to Americans just how transient and shifting our loyalties are based on our relative needs. It was founded in 1854 to resist or thwart the goals of expansion sought by Southern slavocracy; the election of the party’s first president in 1860 sparked the Civil War and spawned activities that still shape the racial fabric of America.
During the Civil War, President Lincoln moved toward the posture that the emancipation of slaves should become the epicenter of the struggle. To effectuate his objective, the president issued the Emancipation Proclamation and allowed for the enlistment of black men in the Union Army to fight for their freedom and for the preservation of America.
The assassination of President Lincoln by a Southerner catapulted the congressional Republicans into power to punish the South for its war activities. The actions by the so-called Radical Republicans included three constitutional amendments, seven civil rights laws and the election of black Congress members. When this era ended in 1876, it ushered in the solid Democratic South that lasted until cracks emerged in 1948 with President Truman’s civil rights actions, and continued with the monumental activities of President Johnson.
Concurrent with the civil rights actions of the national Democratic Party was an appeal to the South by the Republican Party to save it from the forces imposed by the Democrats. Since civil rights is no longer the South’s foremost battleground, the region is the Republican Party’s stronghold in opposition to social policies such as health care reformation.
Hopefully, Southerners will remember that national Democrats, with very little Republican assistance, enacted Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP, all designed to improve the health of Americans without regard to race, creed or national origin.
Carl A. Johnson
Columbus
Humbled and grateful
On Saturday, Oct. 3, a “Poker Run” motorcycle rally was held for our son Kelly during his fight against throat cancer. The rally was held at VFW Post 665 on Victory Drive, enabled greatly by lifetime member Bill Brickner and Amanda, hosted by the Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry, President Tommy Odom and assisted by his wife Tammy. We were given a gorgeous day and had a wonderful time.
The live music, gathered without practice, was great. Our son Tim, Mark King, Shannon Drew, Sonny and Caroline Story and Andrew Norton proved what great musicians they are. The Rev. James Solomon belted out baritone blues with his normal gusto. Goldens’ Foundry, Kelly’s employer, and Kelly’s co-workers, especially Jim and Sara Bowman, made huge contributions to the rally’s success. B.W. Capps, Ben & Sweet Pea, Jim and Candy Lucas, Joe and Heather O’Brien, our nephew and his wife, were also great contributors. A big thanks to Harvard’s K-9 Center, Dr. Janet Tomlin of St. Francis Veterinary Clinic, the Cottonmouths Hockey Club, Jacqui St. John and Michael Varick for their welcome donations. Daffin’s Deer Processing provided services and Scott Russmeyer of Country’s Barbecue provided a great meal. Andy Young and his wife Renee and son Drew served food and donated screen-printed shirts from Logo’s. Jackie LaFollette and her husband took charge of selling shirts and other items.
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