Grand Old Partisan honors Isaac Murphy, born October 16th 1799. After several years practicing law in Pennsylvania, he relocated to Tennessee. There, his father-in-law disowned him for opposing slavery. In 1834, the couple settled in Arkansas.
Murphy entered politics as county treasurer. While a state legislator, he introduced a bill to establish public schools.
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
With civil war looming, Murphy was elected delegate to a state convention. Murphy cast the only vote against secession. A patriotic woman tossed him a floral bouquet. He soon fled to northwest Arkansas, a Unionist stronghold.
U.S. troops captured Little Rock in September 1863. President Lincoln authorized anti-Confederate Arkansans to form a new government, and Murphy was elected Governor. He upheld the Union and, after fighting ceased, avoided recriminations against former rebels. His motto: "Industry, Education and Christian morality are the pillars of freedom."
Remaining in office until July 1868, Governor Murphy left a budget surplus. He was remembered as "a man of sound common sense, of good intentions, and of scrupulous honesty."
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Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.
Each day, Michael Zak's grandoldpartisan YouTube channel and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than sixteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far.
He also wrote the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar.
Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.
See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party.
"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!"
"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."
"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"
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