Grand Old Partisan honors George Opdyke, born December 7th 1805. After a few years teaching school, he became a prosperous clothing merchant. Opposing slavery led him from the Democratic Party to the Free Soil Party.
In 1858, Opdyke won election to the New York legislature. He was delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention. Following year, he defeated a pro-Confederate Democrat for mayor of New York City. Outbreak of civil war, President Lincoln authorized him to spend government money in defense of the Union.
July 1863, when Democrats rioted against the military draft, Opdyke refused to negotiate with the mob. Later years, he headed a bank and donated to worthy charities.
Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9x41H1RByUY
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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