New-York tribune., 1885-07-24
ELECTED PRESIDENT.

The country the eve of the Presiden.
tial campaign, and Grants popularity made him
altogether the most available candidate named. II
is one of the most remarkable episodes in the life OF
this extraordinary man that he could have taken
the nomination from either of the two parties
utterly opposed as they were. without much
inconsistency. and there was, at the time
belief that If the Democrats had nomi-
mated him. and not tho Republicans, he
would have accepted tho nomination Of The
former. Up to the breaking out of the war he
vas positive Democrat in his politics, disikcd the
slavery agitation and was opposcdto LncoIn's
election because he thought it would disturb the
country He had voted in 1886 for buchanan. He
went into the war as O soldier and % loyal citizen
not as au Abolitionst or Republican. All through
the conflict he was too busy fighting To think much
II politics; and, indeed a tmo III his life did h.
have that interest IN civil affairs and that know
'dye of them which Is supposed to bc necessary in
President When he emerged from the war he was
Identified III the publio mind with tho Union, the
Administration and the Republican party, and YET
n his opinions and sympathies he was probably
little less of Democrat than whom he voted against
fremont. Some of the shrewder Democratic
politicians saw their opportunity. Dean Richmond
Peter Cagger and Cornelius Wendell. tho Successors
" tho Albany Regency. were quietly taking stops
National Convention. Thurlow Weed. tho victorian
Republican leader. Ia n letter TO TIE TRIBCSE
nearly thirteen years after told for tho first time
now the plans OF these mon, of which hc had
earned. neatly frustrated. He said
Remembering that in 1928 Tammany Hall took the
Wind OF the SAILS OF the Clntonan party by making
'enrrH Jackson an hvowed Cintonisn It, candidate.
determined that tho adversary should GOT steal
thunder second time tasrefoTo called meeting Of
been quietly doing good Republican work in ths city
u the committee. THIS was arranged ON saturday. IL
Tho evening papers OF that day General Grants arrival
10 loug Branch was ANNOUNCED. Immediately took tue
'o1. ior tfat place aud after breakfast on sunday
morning Invited Gcuera Grant 10 smoke his cigar I'm my
~oom then greatly surprised the General by inforln-
ng him that no would be nominated for President at
Republican meeting 70 be held in. Noe-Yofk on the
would c 2re-ented Ia him by tho chairman OF the meet
at;, ~, Mr. . T19nas S, MURPHY As had own General
canvass AM Its rosnls were freely aud frankly talked
sa ami no@y .as d'49 Tao VIII .Dsd s9
10 the first suggestion OF his Pro-dcnt also
aneo@ nun Jaea.on .S Sod so yor ra 70, Ss
nguishcd services rendered IN several wars. aHd
nat history about repeat Itself In his case
elf about tho election that he had done hi work with
6s Sc coacaaas t ~ SO rcnsrt tST Sat hS wSa@ Sa
aSc the Presidential chair uncDcumbcrci free to dis
prosperity and welfare oi the people ani country.
This was the initial step. At the Republican
National Convention held In Chicago OH May 81,
1868 General Grant was nominated FOR President
by acclamaton. aud Schuyler Cofax Of Indiana.
yas nominated for Vice-lresident The platform
ustsinei the Reconstruction policy Of Congress
approved negro suffrage demanded good faith witt
tho bondhoidcrs. and reduction of taxation aud o.
ho interest Oh tho National debt denounced the
buses OF Johneons ADMINISTRATION, and especially
raised tue soldiers ana sailors OF the war Tor The
MON. General Grants letter OF acceptance was
OF the briotest documents Of tho kind record
In few terso sentences II acccp.cd the platform
"a "A "a 1nF q fnllF s-tfaEa
ldmnsiratlon. In view Of tho fact that the enndI
ions were constantly changing. Hc declared TIM
nc had no Will but that OF the people and added
economy Of adB!nstraton, will Tighten The burden
" taxation, while II constantly reduces tl
National debt. Let us have peace" These las
words coming from tho great General of tho war
became tho "Atchwords Of the campaign Grants
slecton. by an enormous majority. was, Of course.
inevitable Ho raceYed 2lI electoral votes to 80
;ast for Horato Seymour, the Democratic candi-
late.