en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1396686 Comments by MatthewBowdish http://biggovernment.com/mzak/2010/07/08/the-first-ever-republican-state-convention/#IDComment85595493 My Bowdish ancestors were at that meeting, since they were lving in Ingham and Jackson Counties. That meeting converted many of them from the abolitionist wing of the Whig Party to Republicans. Five Bowdish men fought in the Civil War and one (Corridon Bowdish) died at the Battle of the Wilderness. Other Bowdish ancestors later supported female suffrage, another Republican ideal. I am proud of that history and reject any notion that the Republican Party is associated with racism, sexism, etc., or has anything to apologize for, like Carol Swain has asserted. Thu, 8 Jul 2010 20:47:59 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/mzak/2010/07/08/the-first-ever-republican-state-convention/#IDComment85595493