The Legacy of Ulysses S Grant

Civil War general and Mexican American WarToday, England is a great ally of the United States
veteran, Ulysses S. Grant, became the eighteenthand has fought with us to help propagate
president of the United States in 1869 and servedfreedom around the world.
two terms as a Republican. Among his presidentialI believe President Ulysses S. Grant would proud
accomplishments are:o The 1872 Treaty ofto see the fruits of his work as an abolitionist and
Washington resolving a dispute with Great Britainthe strides the country has made in treating all
regarding damages made to American shippingmen, regardless of race, creed, or color, equally
during the Civil War by Confederate raiders built inunder the law today. The Ku Klux Klan still exists
British shipyards.o The 1870 Enforcement Actin many parts of the south today, but the
rendering the Ku Klux Klan powerless in theirradiation of an idea or an attitude is much more
Reconstruction South.o The 1875 Civil Rights Actdifficult to accomplish than a change in the law.
extending federal protection to black civil rights inThe war for men's hearts and minds will continue
the area of public accommodations.till the end of time, as will the battle against
The above accomplishments were made in ancorruption the mugwumps were fighting, but if
administration that came to be known for itgood men show the same courage and conviction
indecisive leadership, inconsistent policy onas President Grant did we will have a much
Southern Reconstruction, and massive corruptiongreater country and much more peaceful world
during a time of severe economic depression. TheI honor President Ulysses S. Grant as did so many
scandals caused Republican civil service reformersbefore me for his courage and fight for the
to revolt in the 1872 election. The issue was keptprincipal that all men are created equal. As I honor
at the fore by a group of patrician New Yorkall good men who continue the fight for justice
Republicans, the "mugwumps," who campaignedand freedom around the world today.
against the pervasive corruption.