But the Confederates were Democrats...
Thank you!
On the other hand, Congressman Martin Dies, of the Texas Second district, was a Democrat. Yet he opposed FDR's socialism and championed the anti-communist Special Committee to Investigate Un-American Activities. In spite of his affiliation with that party, it was through the work of Dies that Senator Joseph McCarthy was able expose the fifth columnists traitors.
It's not necessarily a binary issue since there was a time when there were Republicans who were quite bad, including those who founded the anti-American racist outfit, the NAACP. Likewise, a rogue's gallery of liberal Republicans includes New York Mayor John Lindsay, Senators Jacob Javits, "Fighting" Bob La Follette of Wisconsin, George Norris of Nebraska, among others.
The label Republican does not always equate to Conservatism and there once was a time when there were patriots who had a D next to their names.
Ping to FReeper nathanbedford to make sure I have correctly marshaled my information and to get his always erudite take on the matter.