Editor, Gazette-Journal:

These are the facts:

Civil rights legislation was passed by Republicans. In 1854, the Republican Party was formed on one platform—Anti-Slavery.

The President of the United States during the Civil War was a Republican, Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865).

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1 1863, freeing all slaves in the states that had seceded and that were not yet under Northern control.

13th Amendment abolished slavery, 12/6/1865. Enacted by Republican Congress—100 percent Republican support; 23 percent Democrat support.

Civil Rights Act of 1866—extended rights to emancipated slaves. Enacted by a Republican Congress.

14th Amendment—1868, gave citizenship to newly freed slaves.

Enacted by a Republican Congress—94 percent Republican support; 0 percent Democrat support.

15th Amendment—1870, ensured the right to votes for blacks. E...