Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/113

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 85 inent men of his own political party. Not a few Republicans became estranged, feeling that they were being ignored by the executive, and formed themselves into an organization under the name of "Liberal Republicans." This opposition resulted in the holding of a convention in Cincinnati, and the nomination of Horace Greeley as its candidate for the presidency, which nomination was after ward adopted by the Democratic party. The Re publican convention met in Philadelphia, June 5, 1872, renominated President Grant, and adopted a platform approving the principles advocated by him in his previous administration. When the elec tion took place, he carried 31 states, with a popular vote of 3,597,070, the largest that had ever been given for any president, while Greeley carried 6 states with a popular vote of 2,834,079. Grant re ceived 286 electoral votes against 66 that would have been cast for Mr. Greeley if he had lived. The 14 votes of Arkansas and Louisiana were not counted, because of fraud and illegality; in the election. The canvass had been one of the most aggressive and exciting in the history of the country, and abounded in personal attacks upon the candidates. Gen. Grant, in his inaugural address on March 4, 1873, said, in alluding to the personal abuse that had been aimed at him: "To-day I feel that I can disregard it, in view of your verdict, which I grate-