This article focuses on the party name rather than the parties ideologies. That is the single most important thing that is ignored in all arguments similar to what is presented here.

During the civil war era (and prior) the Republican party held a LIBERAL ideology and the Democrats a CONSERVATIVE one. The parties had essentially switched come the 60s. 

A fictional television show (All in the Family) actually does a good job at showing a contrast between these ideologies. While the show may be fictional it is still art imitating life by depicting the culture of the time. You have Archie a CONSERVATIVE Christian Republican Bigot and Michael a LIBERAL Democrat. The conversations these 2 had represented many of the discussions going on in the country shortly after the civil rights era between the two groups. 

The Conservative Republicans of today continually try and use the past of the "parties" to hide behind their racist views.