By: Ray Akins, Contributor- 253rd District Court Judge, Chap Cain has changed from the Democrat Party to the Republican Party. Judge Cain finally recognizes the superior Republican Party values and supporting ideals. Liberty Dispatch appreciates the decision made by Judge Cain, accepts and welcomes him to the Republican Party.REPUBLICAN PARTY BACKGROUND
The People's Party
It all started with people who opposed slavery. They were common, everyday people who bristled at the notion that men had any right to oppress their fellow man. In the early 1850’s, these anti-slavery activists found commonality with rugged individuals looking to settle in western lands, free of government charges. “Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men,” went the slogan. And it was thus in joint opposition to human enslavement and government tyranny that an enterprising people gave birth to the Republican Party.
In 1856, the Republicans became a national party by nominating John C. Fremont for President. Four years later, with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the Republicans firmly established themselves as a major political party. The name "Republican" was chosen because it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party.
All of Us Equal
In 1861, the Civil War erupted, lasting four grueling years. During the war, against the advice of his cabinet, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves. The Republicans of the day worked to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery; the Fourteenth Amendment, which guaranteed equal protection under the laws; and the Fifteenth, which helped secure voting rights for African-Americans. All of these accomplishments extended and cemented the fundamental freedoms our nation continues to enjoy today.
The Republican Party also played a leading role in securing women the right to vote. In 1896, the Republican Party was the first major political party to support women's suffrage. When the 19th Amendment finally was added to the Constitution, 26 of 36 state legislatures that had voted to ratify it were under Republican control. The first woman elected to Congress was a Republican, Jeanette Rankin from Montana in 1917. So it was by hardworking Republican hands that color and gender barriers were first demolished in America.
Free from Oppression
Republicans believe individuals, not government, can make the best decisions; all people are entitled to equal rights; and decisions are best made close to home. These basic principles are as true today as they were when the Party was founded. For all of the extraordinary leaders the Party has produced throughout its rich history, Republicans understand that everyday people in all 50 states and territories remain the heart and soul of our Party.
Presidents during most of the late nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth century were Republicans. The White House was in Republican hands under Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, the United States won the Cold War, releasing millions from Communist oppression, in true anti-big government Republican spirit.
Elephants, Not Donkeys
The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections in 1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Ulysses S. Grant would seek to run for an unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harper's Weekly, depicted a Democratic donkey trying to scare a Republican elephant - and both symbols stuck. For a long time Republicans have been known as the "G.O.P." with party faithful believing it meant the "Grand Old Party." But apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was "gallant old party." When automobiles were invented it also came to mean, "get out and push." That's still a pretty good slogan for Republicans who depend every campaign year on the hard work of hundreds of thousands of everyday volunteers to get out and vote and push people to support the causes of the Republican Party.
Freedom Fighters
Abolition. Free speech. Women's suffrage. These were all causes the Republican Party, adopted early on. So, too, were reducing the size of government, streamlining bureaucracy, and returning power to individual states. With a core belief in the primacy of individuals, the Republican Party, since its inception, has been at the forefront of the fight for individuals' rights in opposition to a large, intrusive government.
8 comments:
Well these Democrats are now jumping ship. Who wants to be involved with this bunch, after all the Scams they have pulled off in Liberty County. Are these Ship Jumpers doing this in an attempt to foul the Republican Party Primaries. Why fter all these years, do they want to be Republicans? Something fishy about these moves. Suprise,Suprise Suprise.
It's a bit ironic that you would cite the Republican party's wonderful leadership including Jeanette Rankin's election to congress and the Emancipation Proclamation.
Rankin voted against BOTH world wars. When the intimidation of congress was going on, seven years ago, Republicans were labeling Democrats who opposed the Iraq War Resolution as "with the terrorists." One single Republican senator voted no...Lincoln Chaffee from Rhode Island. After he left office, he became an independent.
By the '60s, the Republican party had become, to all intents and purposes, the "White People's Party," with luminaries such as Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms leading the way, and candidates such as Louisiana gubernatorial nominee David Duke.
Your comment falls short to the movement of the Republican Party since the early 80's. You failed to acknowledge the way the Republican Party has evolved since the a few bigots got involved in the party and then were ousted. Your comment is not fair to the modern day Republicans minus people like Lester Ray Wisegerber. People like him are the reason our party is still hemorrhaging from the inside.
Ray
Thanks for the excellent article Ray Akins.
The Liberty Dispatch Conservative News Outlet is on its way to becoming the dominate news provider in Liberty County Texas.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Every man (person) has redemptive qualities.
It is great to see Judge Cain recognize the qualities and values of the Republican Party.
The one thing that I cannot overlook and must point out is the fact that candidates and office-holders are throwing the leadership (Nancy Archer) of the Liberty County Democratic Party under the BUS!
I can see the tread-marks on her person as she walks by.
Poor Nancy...better that she had never been born a Democratic Donkey!
The strength of America depends on a political party staying true to the values of our Founding Fathers. The amateur history nuts who would say that means "slavery" need to read their history. Jefferson was out voted when he tried to end slavery in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was successful in passing anti slave trade legislation in 1807. Slavery was not a bedrock issue for those who started this country. But small government, low taxes, and the most of the rest of modern day conservatism was part of the Founding Fathers belief systems. If you are black or brown or green and decide to reject those values then you can stand back and say the Republican party is the "white man's party", but if you have any sense you will embrace what has worked and reject the values that have failed the whole world over.
I guess when we get Chap, we get Bill? I can not kiss a frog and hope for a prince with a snake sitting inches from the frog's pursed lips!
This article truly makes me laugh. Ask anyperson who doesn't fit your description of a "republican" how they are treated by your glorious party. It may have started that way but years of corruption and religous fundamentalism has defintely changed your party to one of discrimination and hatred for those not just exactly as them.
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