swept away, the principal ones remaining being that upon whisky and on other spirituous liquors; and this tax is seriously denounced, for practical reasons, by a large proportion of the Democratic party. Any measure that would secure to

them cheaper whisky would, no doubt, be hailed with delight; but as long as the Republican management of the finances continues there is little likelihood that they will be relieved from this spirituous burden.

XII.

Issues of the Democratic Party in 1868-Overthrowing Reconstruction-Repudiation of Financial Obligations-Position of the Republican Party-Universal Suffrage and Maintenance of the Public Faith-General Grant Nominated by Acclamation-Schuyler Colfax for VicePresident-Democratic Strength developed in the Campaign-President Grant's Inaugural Address-Progress of Reconstruction and Conduct of the Southern Leaders-Anomalous Position of Georgia-White Leagues and Ku-Klux Clans-Their Acts of Violence-Military Rule in the South-Peculiarity of the Election of 1872-Horace Greeley Supported by Democrats and Liberal Republicans-Close of the Campaign-Defeat and Death of Greeley -Sketch of his Life.

LLUSION has been made in the preceding chapter to the action of the Democratic National Convention of 1868 and the nominations made by it. By its platform and partly through its candidates the Democratic party determined to go to the polls on the two issues of overthrowing the reconstruction system in the Southern States and paying the debt of the United States in paper currency. The other questions in their platform gradually dropped out, and all the discussion of the canvass was directed to these two leading propositions. The Republican party, on the other hand, made a very strong nomination, by selecting General Grant as its candidate-the selection having been practically determined upon for months before the Convention was held. The nomination was made in response to a general public sentiment. Some of the politicians were opposed to the selection of a man whose record was almost entirely military, but they found themselves in such a small minority that they abandoned the attempt. Many of the prominent leaders of the Republican party were present at the Convention, which occupied only two days altogether for its session.

The platform, which was adopted after very little discussion, contained two essential principles which overshadowed all others-equal suffrage for all citizens, of whatever color or race, and the maintenance of the public faith in observing

the financial obligations of the government. The Convention congratulated the country on the restoration of a majority of the Confederate States to their places in the Union and the assured restoration of the rest in a short time. President Johnson was severely arraigned for his conduct in office, and this arraignment met with the hearty indorsement of Republicans all through the country. The issues between the parties were clearly stated and left no room for doubt.

When the business regarding the platform was completed, General Grant was nominated for the presidency by General John A. Logan, in a speech of distinctive vigor and eloquence. When the roll was called, the entire Convention indorsed the nomination, without a single vote in opposition. The wildest enthusiasm was displayed in the Convention, as the vote went on, and it was echoed by the enthusiasm with which the nomination was received throughout the country. There was considerable competition for the nomination for the Vice-Presidency, there being three candidates in the field, with others of lesser note. The three who occupied the most prominent place were Wade of Ohio, Fenton of New York, and Schuyler Colfax of Indiana. On the first ballot Wade was first in the voting; and on the second ballot his number was increased considerably; on the third and fourth ballots all the smaller names were withdrawn. Then, by the combination of votes on the part of the withdrawn candidates, and the falling off from Wade and Fenton, the fifth ballot gave 541 for Colfax, 38 for Wade, and 69 for Fenton. The nomination was immediately made unanimous, and when the Convention adjourned there was a general belief throughout the country that the ticket bearing the names of Grant and Colfax would be victorious in the

canvass.

General Grant was promptly notified officially and formally of his nomination. In less than a week his letter of acceptance was published, and in it was that memorable phrase, which will always be linked with his name, "Let us have peace."

When the campaign was fairly under way, the Democrats developed a greater strength than had been anticipated, and although the Republican ticket was victorious the battle was more earnest than had been expected on the part of many of the political leaders. The victory was an overwhelming one for the Republican party and its candidates, but it was a surprise to many Republicans that General Grant was defeated in the State of New York by ten thousand votes, and that New Jersey should also take a place in the Democratic column. Cali

fornia and Oregon had been counted upon as sure Republican States, but the majority in California was only 514, while Oregon, to the surprise and astonishment of nearly every Republican, gave her vote for the Democratic ticket. The

city and county of Philadelphia had been looked upon as certainly Republican, but they gave a majority of nearly two hundred to the Democrats. If Seymour had received the total vote of the States of the solid South-which had not then been solidified to that degree that they have in later days-he would have

had a majority over General Grant in the Electoral College, and would have become the President of the United States in March, 1869.

The result of the Republican victory in this campaign was the decision that the Constitution should be amended so as to provide for impartial suffrage throughout the country. This had been overlooked or omitted in the platform of the party during the campaign, and there was a widespread belief that it had been seriously detrimental to the success of the party. Various propositions were made in both Houses of Congress, and, as every one knows, in due course of time the amendment was passed and ratified by the States, so that it became a part of the law of the land.

The inauguration of General Grant as President of the United States took place on the 4th of March, 1869, and there was a grand display of popular enthusiasm over the event. It was a delight to the Republicans to be rid at last of the annoyances of their relations with President Johnson, and it is highly probable that the Democrats were equally glad to be rid of an alliance with a man who had so long been their enemy and through whose relations they had profited very little.

A notable instance of the inauguaration was that the usual etiquette was not carried out by the incoming and outgoing Presidents accompanying each other from the White House to the Capitol. There have been very few exceptions to this custom. John Adams was so annoyed by the circumstances of his defeat for re-election that he left Washington and would not stay to see his successor, Jefferson, installed into office; and there was such a bitter personal quarrel between General Jackson and John Quincy Adams that they were not on speaking terms, and, consequently, a ride in a carriage through the length of the nation's capital would not be an agreeable excursion. General Grant had such a personal dislike to President Johnson, in consequence of the latter's effort to place him in a false position concerning the removal of Stanton, that he refused to recognize him officially in any way, and declined to drive with him in the same carriage.

In accordance with his custom, a notable feature of his inauguration address was its brevity. Substantially, he said: "I have taken the oath of office without mental reservation, and with the determination to do, to the best of my ability, all that it requires of me. The responsibilities of the position I feel, but I accept them without fear. The office has come to me unsought. I commence its duties untrammeled; I bring to it a conscientious desire and determination to fill it to