New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-22
OUR CANDIDATES.
GEN. L. S. GRANT.

Eigh. years ago when Republican Convention
ut Chicago nominated Abraham Lincoln. u man not
altogether unknown, and wherever known re-
spected the country taken 10y surprise but raj
lied 10 his support old fayorite had ever been
supported and in the terrible years that followed
gave him place in the popular heart nSver accorded
to any one except Washington. Now the country is
not only not surprised at. but actually demands the
nomination of man then living at Galena, whose
name the people had never heard when Lincoln was
called from his quiet life nj Springfield. Both West
ern men, and both residents of Illinois, though born
the one in Kentucky and the other in Ohio, they
were nominated for the first office in the peoples gift
by National Conventions held in the metropolis OF
their adopted State. Lincoln had mission to per-
f0nn and the Convention Of 1850 called him forth to
perform il Grant has that work TO complete, aud
the Convention Of 1858 asks him to complete it, His
record in the past shows the snglcness of purpose
with which he will pursue the task allotted TO him
in the future.
Ulysses s. Grant was born April 20 lSe!. ut Point
Pleasant Clermont County, Ohio. Like Lincoln, his
early intellectual advantages were of the most ord
nary kind. but ne was enabled Ia educate himself
sufficiently Ia enter the Military Academy at West
Point TO which he was fortunate in procuring u
cadetship though at the expense of ms name, Hi
ram Ulysses which was given him in infancy for the
world II the clerical blunder which inscribed him
Ulysses s. could not he erased from the records Of
the Academy, neither can that name be blotted from
the scroll Of honorable history lie graduated in 1913
and was breveted I'd Licnt. in the 4th In
fantry lie served through the Mexican war
receiving breycts of First Lieutenant and Captain
for mertoTiOus conduct at the battles of Molina del
Rev and Chepucpec. After the war with Mexico he
continued in the army for few years. and while
serving in Oregon in 1852 promoted To cap
taincy The next year he resigned, going into bust
ness mt St. Louis and in 1889 he removed to Galena,
ILL.,, where he was conducting m extensive tannery
when the late war broke out Capt. Grant was
among the first TO offer his services To the Govern
ment and was given command of regiment by
the Governor Of Illinois. with which he went into
active service in Missouri. Ii was not long until he
was appointed Brieader-General of Volunteers
(Aug 1861 and assigned TO the command of the Dis
trict of Cairo.
The unfortunate battle Of Bull Run and the vary
ing fortunes in the SouthWest had depressing effect
upon the country and the people were willing TO take
leader on trust if he would only come heralded with
victory. however insignificant. Rich Mountain
gave Mcclellan command of the Armies of the United
States the unfortunate expedition to Belmont doomed
Grant to comparative obscurity at Cairo until near
brilliant victories OF Fort DonesOn and Pittsburgh
Landing the first of any significance gained by n
Union army, could do little for him, and while the
former made him Mao the latter deprived
him of "A command. All eyes were turned toward the
Grand Amy of the Potomac. in anticipation of the
great things it would accomplish when its leader
chose to move upon Lee at Manassas; and decisive
actions upon the Cumberland and the Tennes-
were not considered, while people were
amused with promises never 10 he realized.
and kept in constant expectation by assurances
that all quiet along lines little nearer homo.
II were useless TO attempt description OF these ac-
tons now. but when Grant completed victory that
had begun a defeat by leading In person charge
of six regiments, he showed that a General might
promise little and yet accomplish much. Soon after
he had worsted the abest Rebel leader in the South
who was killed III that fierce engagement ut Shiloh
Church, Iialleck assumed command IN the South
West and the victor was rewarded for his two sue
cesses by subsequent neglect until September, 1862
lie was then appointed to the command of the Army
of West Tennessee his forces constituting the 18th
Army Corps and fixed his headquarters at Jack
son in that State. Iu the meantime Mcclellan had