It is my sincere conviction that believers do not have the option to walk away from the political arena. When believers neglect to become involved, the political process is manipulated by the loudest voices -- and in our society, those voices are too often shouting support for agendas contrary to the Word of God.

The First Republican President

President Abraham Lincoln served as the first Republican president, elected in 1860 in a four-way race.

An interesting story about Lincoln's beard. Mr. Lincoln was always clean shaven until just a few weeks before the election. Grace Bedell, an eleven-year-old girl, sent a letter to the candidate compelling him to grow whiskers. Her words: "You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin." She said if he grew a beard she would try to convince her brothers to vote for him and that women would persuade their husbands, as well.

When the Civil War erupted in 1861 Lincoln's commitment to principles outweighed the counsel of his cabinet. Against their advice, January 1, 1863, the President signed the Emancipation Proclamation that declared freedom for all those enslaved in the Confederate Territory. The war waged on for two more years as Union soldiers fought to enforce the order. In Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 (also known as "Juneteenth"), a special decree was read that ordered the freeing of 200,000 slaves in the state. This marked the end of the Civil War and slavery.

A cruel assassination tragically ended Mr. Lincoln's life and presidency; but under his strong leadership, our nation changed for the better. Following his passing, the Republicans of his day worked to pass the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments that outlawed slavery, guaranteed equal protection under the law and secured voting rights for all men regardless of their race.

Michigan roots for the Republican Party

Did you ever wonder why or how the Republican Party originated?

In the early 1850s, principled and passionate leaders of several different parties united primarily over the moral issue of their day. Unable to fight and win against this behemoth evil on their own, smaller groups fused to create one power-packed team determined to eliminate slavery.

History proves that it was the result of the collaborative efforts of soldiers on the battlefield during the Civil War and the leadership of the Republican Party that paved the way for civil rights in America . . . including the path to the White House for President Obama.

The Republican Party has a rich heritage of empowering men and women of every race to achieve great things in our great nation.

And now . . . for the Michigan tidbit . . .

The first official Republican meeting took place on July 6, 1854, in Jackson, Michigan. In the congressional elections that year, the new party earned 44 seats in the House of Representatives and 11 in the Senate. Off to a great start!

Drawing of the Republican Convention in Jackson. The crowd was so large they had to meet outdoors. 

Congressional Connection

If you are interested in following what Congress is doing, here's a helpful link.

http://www.congress.org/news/

Sign up for emails and see roll calls, votes, how to contact your congressman, etc. Learn about the important legislation that matters to you! Get informed and get involved at Congress.org!