The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-10-03
WHY WAS GEN. GRANT NOMI-
Mated?

We asked the question the other day, why
WAS +. p. Blair nominated by the Tanmany
Convention And we gave the reasons for
that action on the part Of the democracy, as
they appeNreato US.
We now propose 10 slow why Gen. Grant
was taken Up as our candidate for the Presi.
dency. We say 1t was because the people
willed IT, Such is the fact In regard to Grant
but such is not the fact in regard TO Blair
Not one in a thousand, no, not one in ter
thousand, of the Democratic masses looked oil
even wished or imagined that Mr.. F. p. BlaiI
would receive the second place on their ticket
whoever might get the iirst.
'-- -~GA 49, r-~l's
nomination oCGen. Grant, and this 10 SO plain
a case that no proof Is required to substan.
tiate 1t. But, why did the people will it
Upon this lntcrrogatory we may dwell moIe
at length. The people had seen Grant in the
field, they knew his past record, appreciAt ed
Ills great deeds and vast services, and had
confidence in his patriotism and iutcgrity.
He was committed to no narrow policies, TO
no c.IquCs, factions, nor sectional principles;
10 no amimOsitics, personal or political; but
To the welfare OF his country, to all that tends
TO make grand, glorious, and prosperous, in
the highest and best sense OF the terms.
lie Is no Cii.r-sceknr. lie never named the
Presidency As thing desired by him, even to
his most Intimate friends. The man does not
live who ever heard ten. Grant aay thatLc &C.
sired to be President. When approached upon
'his subject. he invariably refused 70 tAA
about II, hence he WAS called reticcnt. Even
down TO the time of the meeting Of the Chi.
csgO Convention, hut few men knew tina. lien.
eral Grant would accept the nomination ter.
dered 10 him. He kept his own couRsels and
on this occasion, AS on Others, looked to the
people as the people looked to hImi and was
guided hy what he believed, and had ever
reason 10 believe, was the unanimous wish OF
the loyal masses. lie did not say, "IoW cGH-
ftilic, cannot b." and then accept. He was
In no sense the candidate Of the politicians,
and when elected he will be IN no sense their
President, but the President Of the people and
OF the country
Let US look for moment at the Character
istics Of this great mans mind and thought
and action. In peace, AS in war, he compFe-
henGs the situation. He has no conccits nor
jealous rivalries. He is not obstinate nor
willful, nor the victim OF foolish freaks and
passions. He Is not smitten with lust for
powers and he has no inordinats ambition for
high places. His policy Is peace, and his idea
ofgoYcrnmcnt Is economy, equality, and free
dom, In so far rs these Ehall be IN harmony
with law.
The people have judged wisely, and they
want this man for President now, because his
election at this Iuncture guarantees the proper
adjustment and Anal settlement Of many per
picking questions North and South.
He is the man for the hour In this time Of
peace, as he was the man for the hour In
the time Of war He is the man to lead us
up higher, to give US clearer views Of our
grand destiny asa nationj to help US work out
that great problem Of u free government In
wAicA all the people shall be free, prosperous,
and happy. He will lead US to reconstruct
our institutions upon the basis of Impartial
Justice. lie will carry forward the work
which has been so auspicIOusly begun to lts
grand conformation. lie will be no sectional
PrcsideE'r bat last and West, North and
south shs.. ind Ia him ruler seeking the
good Of tas whole land, aud administering
Justice tempered by mercy. Oh that the
south would see this and come to his banner.
But before the close OF his administration they
shall see 1t, and rejoice with US that he was
elected. Gen Grant 10 the peoples candidate,
aud that Ia why he was nominated.