"If I were a sovereign, I would never call any statesman to my councils who had not shown for one session he could be totally silent." - SIR ARTHUR HELPS.

CHAPTER XVI.

GRANT'S HARDEST BATTLE.

THE Sovereign people called Grant to become their chief magistrate, —a man silent in public, except so far as deeds speak, and if capable of, much averse to, making addresses of a popular character. At the Soldiers' and Sailors' and Republican Conventions which met in 1868, he was nominated by acclamation as the loyal candidate for the presidential office "amid thunders of applause." Some of his most intimate friends implored him not to accept the nomination for the presidency. They urged as reasons against it his inexperience in civil affairs, and the probability of embroilments that would be likely to tarnish his unsullied military fame, and permanently affect his historical reputation. To all these counsellors he replied in effect: "All you say is plain to me. I am aware of the difficulties awaiting any man who takes that position with its present complications. I have no ambition for the place. My profession is suited to my tastes and habits. I have arrived at its height, and been honored with a position to continue for life, with a generous

compensation, and satisfactory to the highest aspirations of a soldier. It will be the greatest sacrifice I ever made to give this up for the turmoil of the presidential office. But, if the people ask it, I must yield. For some years the people of America have trusted their sons and brothers and fathers to me; and every step taken with them, in the period from Belmont to Appomattox, has been tracked in the best blood of this country. If now they need me to finish the work, I must accept the duty, if in doing so I lay down the realization of my most ambitious hopes."

He was triumphantly elected, and took the oath of office, March 4, 1869. His messages, public acts, and political course, since then, reflect the best opinion of the country on all matters connected with the yet unsettled affairs growing out of rebellion.

GRANT ON PUBLIC POLICY.

If elected, "it will be my endeavor to administer all the laws in good faith, with economy, and with the view of giving peace, quiet, and protection everywhere."

His principle of action is embodied in the state

"A purely administrative officer should always be left free to execute the will of the people. I always have respected that will, and always shall." - Letter accepting Nomination.

GRANT ON EXECUTIVE DUTY.

"On leading questions agitating the public mind, I will always express my views to Congress, and urge them

according to my judgment; and, when I think it advisable, will exercise the constitutional privilege of interposing a veto to defeat measures which I oppose. But all laws will be faithfully executed, whether they meet my approval or

not.

"I shall on all subjects have a policy to recommend, but none to enforce against the will of the people. Laws are to govern all alike, those opposed as well as those who favor them. I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution."

GRANT ON PUBLIC CONTROVERSIES.

"In meeting these, it is desirable they should be approached calmly, without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good to the greatest number is the object to be obtained.

"This requires security of person, property, and free religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement."

GRANT ON FOREIGN POLICY.

"I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other."

GRANT ON CITIZENSHIP.

"I would protect the law-abiding citizen, whether of native or foreign birth, wherever his rights are jeopardized, or the flag of our country floats."

GRANT ON THE INDIAN.

"I will favor any course towards them which tends to their civilization and ultimate citizenship."

GRANT ON INDIVIDUAL DUTY.

"I ask patient forbearance, one toward another, throughout the land, and a determined effort on the part of every

citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy union; and Jask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation."

GRANT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.

"The 'Father of his Country,' in his farewell address, uses the language, 'Promote, then, as a matter of primary importance institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.' The adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution completes the greatest civil change, and constitutes the most important event that has ever occurred since the nation came into life. The change will be beneficial in proportion to the heed that is given to the urgent recommendation of Washington. If these recommendations were important then, with a population of but a few millions, how much more important now !

"I therefore call upon Congress to take all the means within their constitutional powers to promote and encourage popular education throughout the country; and upon the people everywhere to see to it that all who possess and exercise political rights shall have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge which will make their share in government a blessing, and not a danger. By such means only can the benefits contemplated by this amendment to the Constitution be secured."

GRANT ON THE TEST OATH.

"I believe that it is not wise policy to keep from office by an oath those who are not disqualified by the Constitution, and who are the choice of the legal voters; but, while relieving them from an oath which they cannot take, I recommend the release also of those to whom the oath has no application."

GRANT ON ASSESSMENTS.

"The utmost fidelity and diligence will be expected of all officers in every branch of the public service. Political assessments, as they are called, have been forbidden within