imposed on account of the Rebellion, which was finally subdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty will result in complete
pacification in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with impartial suffrage, will guard the
rights of all citizens more securely than any centralized power. The
public welfare requires the supremacy of the civil over the military
authority, and the freedom of the person under the protection of the
_habeas corpus_. We demand for the individual the largest liberty
consistent with public order, for the State self-government, and for
the nation a return to the methods of peace and the constitutional
limitations of power.
5. The civil service of the Government has become a mere instrument
of partisan tyranny and personal ambition, and an object of selfish
greed. It is a scandal and reproach upon free institutions, and breeds
a demoralization dangerous to the perpetuity of republican government.
We therefore regard a thorough reform of the civil service as one of
the most pressing necessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity
and fidelity constitute the only valid claims to public employment;
that the offices of the Government cease to be a matter of arbitrary
favoritism and patronage, and that public station shall become again
a post of honor. To this end it is imperatively required that no
President shall be a candidate for re-election.
6. We demand a system of Federal taxation which shall not
unnecessarily interfere with the industry of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary to pay the expenses of the
Government, economically administered, the pensions, the interest on
the public debt, and a moderate reduction annually of the principal
thereof; and recognizing that there are in our midst honest but
irreconcilable differences of opinion with regard to the respective
systems of protection and free trade, we remit the discussion of
the subject to the people in their congressional districts and the
decision of Congress thereon, wholly free from executive interference
or dictation.
7. The public credit must be sacredly maintained, and we denounce
repudiation in every form and guise.
8. A speedy return to specie payments is demanded alike by the highest
considerations of commercial morality and honest government.
9. We remember with gratitude the heroism and sacrifices of the
soldiers and sailors of the Republic, and no act of ours shall ever
detract from their justly earned fame or the full rewards of their
patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of lands to railroads or
other corporations. The public domain should be held sacred to actual
settlers.
11. We hold that it is the duty of the Government in its intercourse
with foreign nations to cultivate the friendships of peace by treating
with all on fair and equal terms, regarding it alike dishonorable to
demand what is not right or submit to what is wrong.
12. For the promotion and success of these vital principles, and the
support of the candidates nominated by this convention, we invite and
cordially welcome the co-operation of all patriotic citizens, without
regard to previous political affiliations.
When the convention adjourned I regarded the opportunity to make a
successful contest against Grant as wholly lost. Greeley had been
hammering the Democrats in his pungent paragraphs for thirty years, and
they could have little sympathy with him, and the business interests
of the country could not accept a President whose financial policy was
expressed in the single sentence, “The way to resume is to resume,”
referring, of course, to the resumption of specie payments, then the
most vital issue. There were a number of prominent Democrats at the
convention as spectators, and I was surprised to learn before midnight
that many of them had decided to favor the nomination of the Cincinnati
ticket by the Democratic convention.
The Democrats of Tennessee led off for the endorsement of Greeley by
the Democratic National Convention, as did a number of other States,
but it was not until the Democratic State Convention of Indiana met
and nominated Hendricks for Governor, with a positive declaration in
favor of supporting the Liberal Republican national ticket, that the
position of the Democratic party was finally determined. After the bold
attitude assumed by Hendricks, the Democratic dispute as to the policy
of the party practically ended. It was very generally accepted that the
only chance the Democrats had was to fall in as part of the Liberal
Republican procession.
The Republican National Convention met in Philadelphia on the 5th of
June, and as all the disturbing anti-administration elements had been
eliminated by the organization of the Liberal Republicans, there was
entire harmony in the renomination of General Grant. Morton McMichael,
of Pennsylvania, was temporary chairman, and Judge Settle, of North
Carolina, permanent presiding officer. The nomination of Grant was
made by acclamation and with great enthusiasm, but there was a
spirited and, indeed, a desperate contest for the Vice-Presidency.
Colfax had been in ill-health some months before the meeting of the
convention, and publicly announced his purpose not to be a candidate
for re-election. Until then he had been an almost universal favorite
with the newspaper correspondents of Washington, who had then become
a very formidable political power, but after the announcement of his
retirement his fellowship with them gradually diminished, and when
later he announced that, notwithstanding his public declination, he
would be a candidate for renomination, the Washington newspaper men
organized and made an aggressive battle against him. It is not disputed
that they accomplished his defeat, as Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts,
was nominated on the 1st ballot, receiving 364-1/2 votes to 321-1/2 for
Colfax.
The campaign literature of this contest presented the singular fact
that neither of the Republican candidates for the two highest offices
of the Government bore his own proper name. Grant’s name was Hiram
Ulysses, but when he was appointed a cadet to West Point he was
erroneously entered as Ulysses S. Grant, and he accepted that name
until his death. Another campaign story told how Henry Wilson’s true
name was Jeremiah Colbath, and that when known as the “Natick Cobbler”
he studied night and day to advance himself. He was very much charmed
with the eloquence of Representative Wilson, of New Hampshire, and
he finally adopted the name of Henry Wilson, by which he was known
throughout his entire public career. The following platform was
unanimously adopted:
The Republican party of the United States, assembled in national
convention in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th and 6th days of
June, 1872, again declares its faith, appeals to its history, and
announces its position upon the questions before the country.
During eleven years of supremacy it has accepted with grand courage
the solemn duties of the time. It suppressed a gigantic rebellion,
emancipated four millions of slaves, decreed the equal citizenship
of all, and established universal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled
magnanimity, it criminally punished no man for political offences,
and warmly welcomed all who proved loyalty by obeying the laws and
dealing justly with their neighbors. It has steadily decreased with
firm hand the resultant disorders of a great war, and initiated a
wise and humane policy toward the Indians. The Pacific Railroad and
similar vast enterprises have been generously aided and successfully
conducted, the public lands freely given to actual settlers,
immigration protected and encouraged, and a full acknowledgment of
the naturalized citizens’ rights secured from European powers. A
uniform national currency has been provided, repudiation frowned
down, the national credit sustained under the most extraordinary
burdens, and new bonds negotiated at lower rates. The revenues have
been carefully collected and honestly applied. Despite annual large
reductions of the rates of taxation, the public debt has been reduced
during General Grant’s Presidency at the rate of a hundred millions a
year. Great financial crises have been avoided, and peace and plenty
prevail throughout the land. Menacing foreign difficulties have been
peacefully and honorably composed, and the honor and power of the
nation kept in high respect throughout the world. This glorious
record of the past is the party’s best pledge for the future. We
believe the people will not intrust the Government to any party or
combination of men composed chiefly of those who have resisted every
step of this beneficent progress.
2. The recent amendments to the national Constitution should be
cordially sustained because they are right, not merely tolerated
because they are law, and should be carried out according to their
spirit by appropriate legislation, the enforcement of which can safely
be intrusted only to the party that secured these amendments.
3. Complete liberty and exact equality in the enjoyment of all civil,
political, and public rights should be established and effectually
maintained throughout the Union by efficient and appropriate State and
Federal legislation. Neither the law nor its administration should
admit any discrimination in respect of citizens by reason of race,
creed, color, or previous condition of servitude.
4. The National Government should seek to maintain honorable peace
with all nations, protecting its citizens everywhere, and sympathizing
with all peoples who strive for greater liberty.
5. Any system of the civil service under which the subordinate
positions of the Government are considered rewards for mere party zeal
is fatally demoralizing, and we therefore favor a reform of the system
by laws which shall abolish the evils of patronage and make honesty,
efficiency, and fidelity the essential qualifications for public
positions, without practically creating a life-tenure of office.
6. We are opposed to further grants of the public lands to
corporations and monopolies, and demand that the national domain be
set apart for free homes for the people.
7. The annual revenue, after paying current expenditures, pensions,
and the interest on the public debt, should furnish a moderate balance
for the reduction of the principal, and that revenue, except so much
as may be derived from a tax upon tobacco and liquors, should be
raised by duties upon importations, the details of which should be
so adjusted as to aid in securing remunerative wages to labor, and
promote the industries, prosperity, and growth of the whole country.
8. We hold in undying honor the soldiers and sailors whose valor saved
the Union. Their pensions are a sacred debt of the nation, and the
widows and orphans of those who died for their country are entitled to
the care of a generous and grateful people. We favor such additional
legislation as will extend the bounty of the Government to all
soldiers and sailors who were honorably discharged, and who, in the
line of duty, became disabled, without regard to the length of service
or cause of such discharge.
9. The doctrine of Great Britain and other European powers concerning
allegiance—“Once a subject always a subject”—having at last, through
the efforts of the Republican party, been abandoned, and the American
idea of the individual right to transfer allegiance having been
accepted by European nations, it is the duty of our Government to
guard with jealous care the rights of adopted citizens against the
assumption of unauthorized claims by their former governments, and
we urge continued careful encouragement and protection of voluntary
immigration.
10. The franking privilege ought to be abolished, and the way prepared
for a speedy reduction in the rates of postage.
11. Among the questions which press for attention is that which
concerns the relations of capital and labor, and the Republican party
recognizes the duty of so shaping legislation as to secure full
protection and the amplest field for capital, and for labor, the
creator of capital, the largest opportunities and a just share of the
mutual profits of these two great servants of civilization.
12. We hold that Congress and the President have only fulfilled an
imperative duty in their measures for the suppression of violent and
treasonable organizations in certain lately rebellious regions, and
for the protection of the ballot-box; and therefore they are entitled
to the thanks of the nation.
13. We denounce repudiation of the public debt, in any form or
disguise, as a national crime. We witness with pride the reduction
of the principal of the debt, and of the rates of interest upon the
balance, and confidently expect that our excellent national currency
will be perfected by a speedy resumption of specie payment.
14. The Republican party is mindful of its obligations to the loyal
women of America for their noble devotion to the cause of freedom.
Their admission to wider spheres of usefulness is viewed with
satisfaction; and the honest demand of any class of citizens for
additional rights should be treated with respectful consideration.
15. We heartily approve the action of Congress in extending amnesty
to those lately in rebellion, and rejoice in the growth of peace and
fraternal feeling throughout the land.
16. The Republican party proposes to respect the rights reserved by
the people to themselves as carefully as the powers delegated by them
to the States and to the Federal Government. It disapproves of the
resort to unconstitutional laws for the purpose of removing evils by
interference with the rights not surrendered by the people to either
the State or the National Government.
17. It is the duty of the General Government to adopt such measures as
may tend to encourage and restore American commerce and shipbuilding.
18. We believe that the modest patriotism, the earnest purpose, the
sound judgment, the practical wisdom, the incorruptible integrity, and
the illustrious services of Ulysses S. Grant have commended him to the
heart of the American people, and with him at our head we start to-day
upon a new march to victory.
19. Henry Wilson, nominated for the Vice-Presidency, known to the
whole land from the early days of the great struggle for liberty as an
indefatigable laborer in all campaigns, an incorruptible legislator,
and representative man of American institutions, is worthy to
associate with our great leader and share the honors which we pledge
our best efforts to bestow upon them.
The Democratic National Convention met in Baltimore on the 9th of July.
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, of Virginia, was the temporary president and
ex-Senator James R. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, was permanent president.
The Cincinnati Liberal Republican platform was reported by the
committee without the change of a word. Senator Bayard, of Delaware,
vigorously opposed it, but it was adopted by 670 to 62. A ballot was
had for President, resulting as follows:
Horace Greeley, New York 686
Jeremiah S. Black, Pennsylvania 21
Thos. F. Bayard, Delaware 16
Wm. S. Groesback, Ohio 2
Blank 7
On the 1st ballot for Vice-President, B. Gratz Brown received 713 votes
to 6 for John W. Stevenson, of Kentucky, and 13 blank. The nominations
were then made unanimous. It was one of the most harmonious conventions
that I ever witnessed, and there was very general and absolute
confidence felt that the Democrats and Liberals united could sweep the
country and elect Greeley to the Presidency.
There were few among the Democratic leaders who openly and determinedly
dissented. In point of fact the Democratic leaders were quite
sufficiently united on Greeley to have given him the victory, but the
rank and file refused to follow, as was proved by the State elections,
all of which showed that the Democrats lost more of their following
than the Republicans gave them from the Liberal ranks.
It was not until September 3d that the Democratic opposition to Greeley
took form, when a national convention was held at Louisville, Ky., and
nominated Charles O’Conor, of New York, for President and John Quincy
Adams, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President without the formality of a
ballot. Adams had agreed to accept the nomination if O’Conor stood at
the head of the ticket, but O’Conor promptly and peremptorily declined,
after which Mr. Lyon, president of the convention, was nominated for
President, but he also declined. The nomination for President was then
tendered to Mr. Adams, but he refused, and finally the convention
renominated O’Conor, and adjourned without inquiring whether the
candidates would stand or decline. The following is the platform
adopted by the Democratic dissenters:
_Whereas_, A frequent recurrence to first principles, and eternal
vigilance against abuses, are the wisest provisions for liberty, which
is the source of progress, and fidelity to our constitutional system
is the only protection for either; therefore,
_Resolved_, That the original basis of our whole political structure
is a consent in every part thereof. The people of each State
voluntarily created their State, and the States voluntarily formed the
Union; and each State has provided, by its written Constitution, for
everything a State should do for the protection of life, liberty, and
property within it; and each State, jointly with the others, provided
a Federal Union for foreign and inter-State relations.
_Resolved_, That all government powers, whether State or Federal, are
trust powers coming from the people of each State; and that they are
limited to the written letter of the Constitution and the laws passed
in pursuance of it, which powers must be exercised in the utmost good
faith, the Constitution itself providing in what manner they may be
altered and amended.
_Resolved_, That the interests of labor and capital should not
be permitted to conflict, but should be harmonized by judicious
legislation. While such a conflict continues, labor, which is the
parent of wealth, is entitled to paramount consideration.
_Resolved_, That we proclaim to the world that principle is to be
preferred to power; that the Democratic party is held together by the
cohesion of time-honored principles which they will never surrender in
exchange for all the offices which presidents can confer. The pangs of
the minorities are doubtless excruciating; but we welcome an eternal
minority under the banner inscribed with our principles rather than an
almighty and everlasting majority purchased by their abandonment.
_Resolved_, That, having been betrayed at Baltimore into a false
creed and a false leadership by the convention, we repudiate both,
and appeal to the people to approve our platform, and to rally to the
polls and support the true platform, and the candidates who embody it.
_Resolved_, That we are opposed to giving public lands to
corporations, and favor their disposal to actual settlers only.
_Resolved_, That we favor a judicious tariff for revenue purposes
only, and that we are unalterably opposed to class legislation which
enriches a few at the expense of the many under the plea of protection.
The campaign was a very earnest one, but after the Greeley tide had
struck its ebb in the North Carolina election in August, the battle
was a hopeless one for Greeley, and he was defeated by a very large
majority. The following table gives the popular vote:
═══════════════╤══════════╤══════════╤══════════╤════════
STATES. │ Grant. │ Greeley. │ O’Conor. │ Black.
───────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼────────
Maine │ 61,422 │ 29,087 │ ―――― │ ――――
New Hampshire │ 37,168 │ 31,424 │ 100 │ 200
Vermont │ 41,481 │ 10,927 │ 593 │ ――――
Massachusetts │ 133,472 │ 59,260 │ ―――― │ ――――
Rhode Island │ 13,665 │ 5,329 │ ―――― │ ――――
Connecticut │ 50,638 │ 45,880 │ 204 │ 206
New York │ 440,736 │ 387,281 │ 1,454 │ 201
New Jersey │ 91,656 │ 76,456 │ 630 │ ――――
Pennsylvania │ 349,589 │ 212,041 │ ―――― │ 1,630
Delaware │ 11,115 │ 10,206 │ 487 │ ――――
Maryland │ 66,760 │ 67,687 │ 19 │ ――――
Virginia │ 93,468 │ 91,654 │ 42 │ ――――
West Virginia │ 32,315 │ 29,451 │ 600 │ ――――
North Carolina │ 94,769 │ 70,094 │ ―――― │ ――――
South Carolina │ 72,290 │ 22,703 │ 187 │ ――――
Georgia │ 62,550 │ 76,356 │ 4,000 │ ――――
Florida │ 17,763 │ 15,427 │ ―――― │ ――――
Alabama │ 90,272 │ 79,444 │ ―――― │ ――――
Mississippi │ 82,175 │ 47,288 │ ―――― │ ――――
Louisiana[22] │ 71,663 │ 57,029 │ ―――― │ ――――
Louisiana[23] │ 59,975 │ 66,467 │ ―――― │ ――――
Texas │ 47,468 │ 66,546 │ 2,580 │ ――――
Arkansas │ 41,373 │ 37,927 │ ―――― │ ――――
Missouri │ 119,196 │ 151,434 │ 2,439 │ ――――
Tennessee │ 85,655 │ 94,391 │ ―――― │ ――――
Kentucky │ 88,766 │ 99,995 │ 2,374 │ ――――
Ohio │ 281,852 │ 244,321 │ 1,163 │ 2,100
Michigan │ 138,455 │ 78,355 │ 2,861 │ 1,271
Indiana │ 186,147 │ 163,632 │ 1,417 │ ――――
Illinois │ 241,944 │ 184,938 │ 3,058 │ ――――
Wisconsin │ 104,997 │ 86,477 │ 834 │ ――――
Minnesota │ 55,117 │ 34,423 │ ―――― │ ――――
Iowa │ 131,566 │ 71,196 │ 2,221 │ ――――
Nebraska │ 18,329 │ 7,812 │ ―――― │ ――――
Kansas │ 67,048 │ 32,970 │ 596 │ ――――
Nevada │ 8,413 │ 6,236 │ ―――― │ ――――
California │ 54,020 │ 40,718 │ 1,068 │ ――――
Oregon │ 11,819 │ 7,730 │ 572 │ ――――
├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼────────
Totals │3,597,132 │2,834,125 │ 29,489 │ 5,608
───────────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┴────────
[22] “Custom house” count. The total vote of the country, as given
above, includes these returns.
[23] Count by the Warmouth returning board. If these returns should be
substituted for the others, the total vote of the country would be: for
Grant, 3,585,444; Greeley, 2,843,563.
I find that many tables of the popular vote are discordant, and I have
accepted the table prepared by Mr. Stanwood as he presented it. The
Louisiana dispute arose from two returning boards. Governor Warmouth,
who was, by virtue of his office, the head of the returning board, had
supported Greeley, and the dispute led to two returning boards, each
of which made a different return of the official vote of the State,
one giving it to Greeley and the other to Grant. Mr. Greeley died
soon after the election and before the electoral colleges met, and
the minority electors, who had been chosen for Greeley, were entirely
at sea, as will be seen by the following table of the electoral vote
as returned to Congress. There were many quibbles raised in the joint
convention of the two houses in counting and declaring the vote. Mr.
Hoar, of Massachusetts, objected to the Georgia votes cast for Greeley
because he was dead at the time, and various other technical objections
were made, but the table I give shows the vote as it was accepted: