General Grant’s wonderful success as a soldier, however, was not equalled by the same type of success as a statesman. The opposition to his reëlection grew, and no less than seven candidates were thrown into the field against him. To the campaign of 1872 was given the name, “Go as you please,” the watchword of the factions being “Anything to beat Grant.” A serious opposition was met in the combination of the Liberal Republican and Democratic parties who nominated Horace Greeley, but the victory was again given to the hero of Appomattox.
CHAPTER III
SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF ULYSSES
S. GRANT
March 4, 1873, to March 4, 1877
WASHINGTON was in the throes of the coldest weather ever known at an inauguration when Ulysses S. Grant was inducted into office March 4, 1873, for the second time. The morning dawned bitterly cold, with a fierce wind blowing and the thermometer registering 4 degrees above zero, and little change during the day. Marching was difficult, and standing still was next to impossible. Flags and decorations were ripped from their moorings; the music was a failure, as the breath of the musicians condensed in the valves of their instruments, making it impossible for them to play. Many marchers and onlookers were overcome by the cold. The ambulances were kept busy caring for the cadets and the soldiers, some of whom were carried from the line insensible. Even the hardiest and most fur-bundled of visitors deserted the open stands and abandoned the seats for which such high prices had been paid.
The procession, headed by members of the regular army, followed by the Annapolis midshipmen and West Point cadets, included a number of civic and military organizations. There was none that did not suffer somewhat from the arctic atmosphere.
President Grant braved the cold in his own open barouche, accompanied by a portion of the Committee of the Senate, Senators John A. Logan of Illinois, Aaron H. Cragin of Vermont, and Thomas F. Bayard of Delaware.
Vice President elect Henry Wilson followed in the next carriage, after which came the President’s family.
During the ceremony, the President occupied the famous chair used by General Washington at his first inauguration, which had been sent on from New York City for the occasion by Mrs. William C. H. Woddell, the owner.
Chief Justice Chase officiated for the last time, and after taking the oath, President Grant delivered his inaugural address, in spite of a continuous struggle with the wind.