Tonight's History Lesson - Under The Oaks - 1854

The historical marker in the Under the Oaks park says, "Here, Under the Oaks July 6th, 1854, was born the Republican Party, destined in the throes of civil strife to abolish slavery, vindicate democracy and perpetuate the union."

Jackson is the Birthplace of the Republican Party.

However, we must recognize that good citizens across the nation at the time were in agreement with the general philosophy and need for change and meetings were held from Ripon, Wisconsin to Bangor, Maine and Washington, D.C., Exeter, New Hampshire and Friendship, New York. Smaller meetings also occurred in Crawford, Indiana, Ottawa, Illinois and Freedonia, N. Y. These meetings were held before July 6 of 1854, but Jackson's claim is stronger than any other.

Witness: All other meetings were extremely local and were comprised of relatively few people. In Jackson there were citizens from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan numbering in the thousands!! (Estimates ranged from 1,500 to 10,000.)

At the end of the day, the name "Republican" was formally adopted, a platform had been initiated, candidates were nominated (many of whom were elected) and there was no question that this event was arguably the first convention of the party!

Conceived elsewhere, perhaps.....
Born in Michigan, no doubt!!!!

You are invited to attend our annual commemoration of that historical event on Monday, July 6 at 6:00 P.M. You will hear of some of the events and personages who were instrumental in changing history and although we do not bill this as a political rally, in fact, there will be no political speeches, but there will be many candidates for office in attendance and you will be able to meet and greet as many as you would like.

Just a couple of political observations:
It came up in a conversation today with #2 son and his wife that we could very easily draw an analogy between some of the "anything goes" types like Emmanuel and Carville and mercenaries. Honorable men and women serve in the military for a variety of noble reasons, but far back in history we have had mercenaries who go to war for the money and opportunity to loot.

The other thing that happened today was the shooting at the Holocaust Museum by a deranged anti-Semite. A friend told me that Jeremiah Wright said yesterday when he was asked if he has much contact with the President "them Jews won't let him talk to me." Don't get me wrong, I don't mean there is any direct connection, but it does demonstrate how making derogatory remarks in the hearing of someone of weak character can be dangerous. We probably all need to think of the potential damage if our words might be taken out of context. We cannot stop telling the truth and trying to educate those who need to learn--it is just as dangerous not to speak out at wrongs in society. The silence when faced with bad behavior might denote approval
or agreement.

We all have a job to do. Speak up and speak out to right wrongs.

God bless...............