 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| The Republican Party |
The Republican Party was born in the early 1850 by anti-slavery activists and individuals who
believed that government should grant western lands to Ripon, Wisconsin. The first official
Republican Party meeting took place on July 6th, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan.
The name Republican was chosen because it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of
Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party. In 1856, the Republicans became a national
party. John C. Fremont was nominated for President under the slogan: Free soil, free labor, free
speech, free men, Fremont. Even though they were considered a Third Party, Fremont received
33% of the vote. Four years later, Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win the White
House.
The national structure of the Republican Party starts with the Republican National Committee.
Each state has its own Republican State Committee with a Chairman and a staff. The Republican
Party structure goes right down to the neighborhoods, where a republican precinct captain
organizes Republican workers to get out the vote.
The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections way back in
1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Grant would seek to run for an
unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harpers Weekly, depicted a Democratic
jackass trying to scare a Republican elephant and both symbols stuck!
For a long time Republicans have been known as the GOP. And party faithfuls thought it meant
the Grand Old Party. Apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was Gallant Old Party!
believed that government should grant western lands to Ripon, Wisconsin. The first official
Republican Party meeting took place on July 6th, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan.
The name Republican was chosen because it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of
Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party. In 1856, the Republicans became a national
party. John C. Fremont was nominated for President under the slogan: Free soil, free labor, free
speech, free men, Fremont. Even though they were considered a Third Party, Fremont received
33% of the vote. Four years later, Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win the White
House.
The national structure of the Republican Party starts with the Republican National Committee.
Each state has its own Republican State Committee with a Chairman and a staff. The Republican
Party structure goes right down to the neighborhoods, where a republican precinct captain
organizes Republican workers to get out the vote.
The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections way back in
1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Grant would seek to run for an
unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harpers Weekly, depicted a Democratic
jackass trying to scare a Republican elephant and both symbols stuck!
For a long time Republicans have been known as the GOP. And party faithfuls thought it meant
the Grand Old Party. Apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was Gallant Old Party!
| Republican Principles |
I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity,
freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed,
sex, age or disability.
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation
opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of
the money they earn.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical
functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best
government is that which governs least.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to
the people.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new
and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working
to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into
positive and successful principles of government.
| Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) |
