Edmunds of Vermont. He was a man of ability
and long public service. He was not a person calculated to
inspire much popular enthusiasm, but answered very well as
a standard-bearer, although his supporters were ready to transfer
their support to another candidate, other than Blaine or Grant,
on whom a majority of the Convention should be brought to
unite. Mr. Sherman had also a considerable body of supporters
who respected him for his eminent talents and long and valuable
services.
General Grant had a peculiarly strong hold on the Republicans
of Massachusetts. They shared with all patriotic men throughout
the country a profound gratitude for his illustrious military
services. They had been impressed by a feeling of great respect
for his personal qualities. The modesty which led him to refuse
to enter Richmond in triumph at the close of the war; the
simplicity of his behavior; the magnanimity which led him
to claim so little praise for himself and give so much of
the credit to which he was entitled to Sheridan and Sherman,
and others of his military associates; his incorruptible personal
honesty; his soundness and firmness in dealing with all questions
affecting the public credit, the integrity of the currency,
and the rights of citizenship, had endeared him to the people
of a Commonwealth which ever valued such traits in her public
men.
Pages:
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684