This Friday we celebrate the great Republican holiday of Juneteenth.
Our party was founded to put an end once and for all to racial slavery in the United States. We were opposed at every turn by the Democrats and ended up in the depths of a horrible civil war, costing more American lives than any other conflict, but we prevailed. I'm proud of what we did - and I mourn the patriots who lost their lives to make it so.
My nephew, who went to Montgomery County Public Schools in Rockville, Wootton specifically, once told me "Uncle Denny - I'm so glad President Lincoln and the Democrats freed the slaves!" Yes, I set him straight, but often wonder if they teach any true government history in schools today, or is it slanted?
"Uncle Denny - I'm so glad the Democrats freed the slaves!"
When President Lincoln put forth the Emancipation Proclamation it took the troops to put it into effect. June 19th was the last date that the last state got the word out about freedom. It wasn’t even realized right here in the Montgomery County area until about that time. Lincoln lost his life in Washington DC, not far from here, because of his action and his courage.
If you know your history, the Emancipation Proclamation didn't apply to Maryland and MoCo. We weren't officially in rebellion against the Federal Government. Although Maryland was a slave state, those held in slavery didn't really get their freedom until the passage of the constitutional amendment. Slavery existed here - in Hungerford's Tavern (Rockville), Laytonsville, Silver Spring and all over...and some of the slave owners and their overseers were notoriously cruel. As many of you know, "Uncle Tom" Josiah Henson lived in bondage in Rockville before his escape to freedom, and Harriet Tubman often travelled through here with the Underground Railroad, taking the Blue Mash route with the help of MoCo Quakers.
If you look at our Republican leaders of today you can see what progress we've made. They're great leaders, educated and successful and ready to give back and help to end one-party rule by the left here in MoCo. Please get out and vote - we Republicans are notorious for not voting in Mid-terms - so double down and mail it, early vote it, or visit your neighborhood polling place on election day. Let's turn things around for all of us, our neighbors, family and friends. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.
(L to R) Here are some of our Republican candidates: Sherwin Wells (Council At-Large), Ricky Mui (Council D3), Josephine Salazar (Council D5), Esther Wells (County Executive), Reardon "Sully" Sullivan (Council D1), Louella Tham (Council D6), Dolores Reyes (Register of Wills), Harold Maldonado (Council D7).
We’ve made such great strides since the Republican Party started us down this road, but the battle isn’t over. There are folks that have expanded their hatred toward every skin color, race and religion - and we have to be vigilant.
But today we thank Lincoln, Douglass, Truth, Tubman, Brown, Henson and so many Republican founders for setting us on this road. Happy Juneteenth!
I'm proud of the Republican Party and the movement it started to bring freedom to the world.
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Tell us what you think about Juneteenth, the Republicans and the Emancipation Proclamation. Has it become a one-party holiday, a one-race holiday or is it celebrated by all Americans? While you're at it, have you voted yet? If so, tell me about your experience. If not, our primary candidates need your support. Write me at [email protected]