The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: 1874
- ISBN-10
- 0809324989
- ISBN-13
- 9780809324989
- Series
- The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant
- Category
- Manuscripts, American
- Pages
- 592
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2003
- Publisher
- SIU Press
- Author
- Ulysses Simpson Grant
Description
Ulysses S. Grant faced numerous political challenges during 1874. In the south, the Republican party steadily receded from power. As the year opened, Grant conceded Texas to the Democrats, counseling the recently defeated Republican governor to “yield to the verdict of the people as expressed by their ballots.” Throughout the spring, Grant monitored an explosive situation in Arkansas, where rival governors set up contending governments. And in Louisiana, the emergence of the White League led to a pitched battle on the streets of New Orleans. All over the south, what Grant called “atrocities” led blacks to petition him, as did a group in Louisiana: “Give us peace or give a Territory to ourselves Mr. President.” The nation also reeled from the aftermath of a financial panic. In Congress, so-called soft money men, led by midwestern and western politicians, fought to keep wartime greenbacks in circulation to ease the burdens of farmers and other debtors. Hard money advocates championed creditors who contended for a fair return on their loans. A bill generally considered inflationary passed Congress in April. Indecisive, Grant prepared two messages on the bill. In the first, never sent, he gave grudging approval. His ringing veto sent Congress back to work: “I am not a believer in any artificial method of making paper money equal to coin when the coin is not owned or held ready to redeem the promises to pay.” In June, Grant signed a compromise bill that eased inflation fears. Appointments continued to cause turmoil. He selected the largely unknown Ohio lawyer Morrison R. Waite for chief justice after a revelation from Caleb Cushing's past undermined his first nomination. Unable to persuade Elihu B. Washburne to replace an overwhelmed William A. Richardson as secretary of the treasury, Grant nominated another second choice, Benjamin H. Bristow. A frequently slighted Secretary of State Hamilton Fish stayed in the cabinet only after Grant's special pleading. Despite these difficulties, many discussed a third term for Grant, who remained discreetly silent on the issue. In October, Grant made his first visit to Indian Territory, where he saw “on every side evidence of prosperity.” As he toured, troops completed a four-month campaign against Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne raiders on the southern plains. Further north, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer led a party to survey the Black Hills, sacred to the Sioux. Ostensibly scouting sites for military posts, the expedition discovered gold, and the arrival of prospectors by year's end threatened peace in that region. Family and friends had always eased Grant's burdens, but in 1874 the White House seemed a gloomier place after daughter Ellen (Nellie) married in May and left for a new life with her husband in England. Less distressing was the October wedding of eldest son Frederick, who married into an American family. Persistent losses at his farm near St. Louis offset some of this happiness. The year closed with Grant quite conscious of public and private uncertainties looming in his future.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2005
- 564 pages
- Paperback
- SIU Press
Similar books
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: February 21-April 30, 1865
By Ulysses Simpson GrantWith the surrender at Appomattox, Grant demonstrated his capacity for making peace as well as for waging war. In the frantic aftermath of Lincoln's death, Grant maintained his customary levelheadedness despite clamor for vengeance.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: February 1-December 31, 1872
By Ulysses Simpson GrantNotified of his nomination for a second term in June 1872, Ulysses S. Grant accepted, promising "the same zeal and devotion to the good of the whole people for the future of my official life, as shown in the past.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 2
By Ulysses Simpson GrantThe Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 2
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: July 1, 1868-October 31, 1869
By Ulysses Simpson Grant, Ulysses S. Grant AssociationThis volume carries Ulysses S. Grant through a brief period of welcome calm to the storms of the White House. Seemingly resigned to becoming president, Grant detached himself from military...
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: 1873
By Ulysses Simpson GrantInaugurated for a second term on March 4, 1873, Ulysses S. Grant gave an address that was both inspiring and curiously bitter.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: November 1, 1870-May 31, 1871
By Ulysses Simpson Grant" Grant had not sought the office, and halfway through his first term he chafed under its many burdens. Grant's cherished project to annex Santo Domingo, begun early in his administration, entered a crucial period.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: November 16, 1864-February 20, 1865
By Ulysses Simpson GrantDuring the winter of 1864–65, the end of the Civil War neared as Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant maintained pressure against the dying Confederacy.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: June 1, 1871-January 31, 1872
By Ulysses Simpson GrantIn his third annual message to the nation, Ulysses S. Grant stated the obvious: "The condition of the Southern States is, unhappily, not such as all true patriotic citizens would like to see.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: January 1-September 30, 1867
By Ulysses Simpson GrantAlthough Ulysses S. Grant is best remembered as Civil War commander and as president, documents included here demonstrate his importance in the intervening years.
-
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: 1866
By Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant as symbol became as important in peace as he had been in war. The nation rewarded Grant with the rank of full general, the first U.S. officer to hold the rank since George Washington.