In yesterday's job speech, Barack Obama invoked the name of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln:
"We all remember Abraham Lincoln as the leader who saved our Union, Founder of the Republican Party. But in the middle of a civil war, he was also a leader who looked to the future, a Republican President who mobilized government to build the Transcontinental Railroad, launch the National Academy of Sciences, set up the first land grant colleges. And leaders of both parties have followed the example he set."
Barack Obama's speech-writers should learn more about American history. In truth, President Lincoln had little to do with establishing the Transcontinental Railroad, or the National Academy of Sciences, or the first land grant colleges. Yes, he signed the bills into law, but other than that, Republican congressmen deserve the credit for those achievements.
President Abraham Lincoln focused his attention on the Civil War. Government initiatives on matters unrelated to saving the Union were largely the province of Republican congressmen.
The bill establishing the transcontinental railroad was written by Representative Samuel Curtis (R-IA) and passed by the Republican-controlled 37th Congress. Curtis resigned his seat to became a U.S. Army general, fighting Confederate rebels commanded by a former Democrat governor of Missouri.
The bill establishing the National Academy of Sciences was written by Senator Henry Wilson (R-MA), with the assistance of Louis Agassiz and three other scientists, and passed by the Republican-controlled 37th Congress. Wilson would later become Vice President during the Ulysses Grant administration.
The bill establishing the first land grant colleges was written by Representative Justin Morrill (R-VT) and passed by the Republican-controlled 37th Congress. The Republican-controlled Vermont legislature would elect Morrill to the U.S. Senate.
Not for another fifty years would a president routinely submit bills to Congress.
Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party. Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far.
Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.
Buy the book at Barnes & Noble
See dozens of Book Reviews such as:
"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!"
"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"
Very, very nicely done!
Posted by: Moncler Rockar | November 22, 2011 at 02:43 PM