New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-28


clare that he would resign his commits
sion IL SO gross a breach Of good faith
should be perpetrated by the Executive
as to disregard the terms OF his agree
ment with Lee at Appomattox. The re-
suit was the abandonment OF the prose-
cution.
1866. Next came the famous controversy
with President Johnson. The President
having changed his policy toward the
South and finding that Grant would
not support him in his assumed powers
ordered him to Mexico. Grant refused.
saying that it was not a military but
diplomatic mission. and. as citizen. he
declined a civil appointment Johnson
later attempted to send him West.
1867. Congress, fearing for the future on
the part Of Johnson. attached a clause TO
the Army Appropriation bill Of March
4 that the General OF the Army should
not be removed suspended or relieved
from command or assigned to duty else
where than at the headquarters in Wash
ington. except at his own request with
cit the previous approval Of the Senate.
The Tenure Of Office act forbade the
President removing Cabinet officer
without the consent Of the Senate; Dut
Johnson suspended Secretary Stanton
and appointed Grant Secretary of War
ad interim, August IL, 1861. 1t should
be stated that Johnson finally recognized
Grants claims to a certain extent and
allowed him chief control Of affairs in
reconstructing the South. but not until
Congress had definitely acted In the mat
ter Grant protested against Johnson's
course in removing Stanton, but retained
office when the Senate refused to confirm
the suspension of Stanton. Next john
son commanded Grant to disregard STAN
toms orders. Grant refused unless IN
structed In writing. Then followed the
bitter historic correspondence in which
President johnson, Grant Stanton and
General Sherman were involved. During
the years Of contest between Johnson
and Congress Grants position became
delicate and embarrassing He was COM
PEELED to execute the laws of Congress
at the risk of appearing insubordinate
to the President. For a time he was In
a false position, and severely censured
by newspapers and officials; but when
the truth came out the people upheld
him, and he was again the Nations hero.
1868. MAY 20-At the Republican Conven-
ton in Chicago Grant was unanimously
nominated for the Presidency on the first
ballot. In his letter Of acceptance, nine
days later. he used the famous phrase,
Let us have peace" Grant carried
twenty-six States with a popular vote
of 2709.6l3. 1t was claimed that the
State OF New-York was really carried by
Grant, but fraudulenty counted In for
Seymour. Out Of the o04 electoral votes
cast for President, Grant received pa
and Seymour SO-Misssspp Texas and
Virginia not voting.
1869. MARCH 4-Grant was inaugurated
the eighteenth President Of the United
States He had never previously taken
active part in politics.; had voted for
a Presidential candidate but once, and
then for Buchanan. Democrat Grants
earlier associations had been with the
Wings. and, although he fought In every
battle In the Mexican War but one his
heart was not In that fmpaign. Like
General Scott who was also Whig.
Grant looked on that war as Southern
scheme to secure more slave territory for
tho party in power from the South.
on recommendation OF President Grant, |
Congress passed act to strengthen
the public credit
The President also appointed an Ind
ian Commission for cvlllzing and In |
structing the Misunderstanding them In |
dustry and self government.
1910. FEBRUARY 26-The Fifteenth Amend |
ment adopted; II was declared In force |
March 80 having been recommended by |
Grant He said: II regard the meas |
ure OF grander Importance than any one
act OF the kind from the foundation OF |
the Government to the present day" |
He urged Congress to encourage popu- |
lar education, that the negro might be- |
come better fitted for the exercise OF the |
privileges conferred on him by this |
amendment
In May 1870. Grant urged Congress to ]