About Us

In 1856, the Republicans became a national party when John C. Fremont was nominated for President under the slogan: "Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men, Fremont." Even though they were considered a "third party" because the Democrats and Whigs represented the two-party system at the time, Fremont received 33% of the vote. Four years later, Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win the White House.

Some major Republican Party highlights:

Thirteenth Amendment, outlawed slavery.

Fourteenth, guaranteed equal protection under the law.

Fifteenth, helped secure voting rights for African-Americans.

Leading role in securing women the right to vote.

First woman elected to Congress was a Republican.

Since 1952 most Presidents were Republican.

Republicans in office when we won the Cold War.

Today - World's only superpower.

Behind all the elected officials and the candidates of any political party are thousands of hard-working staff and volunteers who raise money, lick the envelopes, and make the phone calls that every winning campaign must have. The national structure of our party starts with the Republican National Committee. Each state has its own Republican State Committee with a Chairman and staff. The Republican structure goes right down to the neighborhoods, where a Hall County Republican precinct captain every Election Day organizes Republican workers to get out the vote.

The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections way back in 1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Grant would seek to run for an unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harper's Weekly, depicted a Democratic jackass trying to scare a Republican elephant - and both symbols stuck.

For a long time Republicans have been known as the "G.O.P." And party faithfuls thought it meant the "Grand Old Party." But apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was "gallant old party." And when automobiles were invented it also came to mean, "get out and push."

That's still a pretty good slogan for Republicans who depend every campaign year on the hard work of hundreds of thousands of volunteers to get out and vote and push people to support the causes of the Republican Party.

(Paraphrased from article written for the RNC - The Webmaster)

REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES (Long Form)

Preamble.

The Foundations of Our Principles. For knowledge about the proper aims, limits and practice of prudent self-government, Republicans rely on: 1) the ideas, ideals, policies and mechanisms of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; 2) the enduring wisdom about human nature, society, and government behind both documents. We also rely heavily on practical experience: The long experience of the human race is a better guide to public policy than are utopian schemes, ideologies or fads of the moment. From all the collected wisdom, knowledge and practical experience about government available to us we take the following principles as guides to policy:

1. All people are created equal before God and the law—all people. Hence, we believe in the sanctity of life and the dignity of each individual. We are committed to removing barriers to equal opportunity. Equal opportunity, not equal results, is the proper test of fair and just policy.

2. Free people do through self-government what they cannot do as individuals but must do in common. Chief among these are public safety and national security. Self-government must necessarily be restricted in size and reach to protect the rights, dignity and interests of its citizens. It must be held accountable by informed, responsible, and active citizens and groups.

3. Taxes should be no higher than what is required to achieve the necessary ends of government. This is the only way to restrict the continual growth of government, and its threats to individual freedom, initiative, creativity and prosperity. This principle demands restraint in spending to produce sound fiscal policy.

4. The most effective government is that closest to the job at hand. Each level of government—city, county, state, and federal—has its proper role. These roles should be respected.

5. Free markets reward people who are industrious, work hard, and save. Energy and initiative create jobs and wider opportunities for more people. Tax policy should encourage such behavior, not punish it.

6. Culture, values, society and tradition are our bedrock. Government is essential to liberty and prosperity, but the foundation of our strength is in: 1) families, neighborhoods, churches, and other associations; 2) the attitudes, ambitions, values and virtues of our people; 3) the healthy traditions of our culture and heritage.

7. Rights come with moral and legal responsibilities. Too many people now aspire to be victims, blaming others for their woes. Government policy and society’s values should encourage a culture of responsibility that holds individuals and institutions accountable for their actions.

8. The courts must be returned to their Constitutional function and hence their proper relationship with the legislative and executive branches and with the people. Activist judges consistently make policy in areas properly reserved to the Congress and state legislatures. This abuse of power makes a mockery of self-government and the balance of powers and is eroding the courts’ credibility.

9. Religious voices belong in the public square. They inform our understanding of the great issues of the day, are an effective teacher of morals and ethics, and remind us of our responsibilities to one another.

10. Republicans are conservers. We are committed to conserving the best and better aspects of life. We have a moral obligation to pass along to future generations the blessings of liberty and prosperity that others passed along to us; we have a duty to all people everywhere to conserve the America that Lincoln called “the last, best hope of earth.”