Grant Quotes - QuotesSweet | quotesweet.com

Book: Grant
Quotes of Book: Grant

Ron Chernow _ Grant
A lifelong Methodist, he had always viewed religious excess with a certain irony, having once told a clutch of ministers that America boasted three parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Methodists.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Many observers were disturbed by all the uniformed men striding the White House corridors. In a broad-brush indictment, Charles Sumner disapproved of the way the White House "assumed the character of military head-quarters. To the dishonor of the civil service and in total disregard of precedent, the President surrounded himself with officers of the army, and substituted military forms for those of civil life.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
In mid-May, he dictated a message for a reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic that had a touching, patriarchal tone: "Tell the boys that they probably will never look into my face again, nor hear my voice, but they are engraved on my heart, and I love them as my children.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Four Millions of people heretofore declared by the highest tribunal in the land, not citizens of the United States, nor eligible to become so, voters in every part of the land, the right not to be abridged by any state, is indeed a measure of grander importance than any other one act of the kind from the foundation of our free government to the present day . . . The adoption of the 15th Amendment . . . constitutes the most important event that has occurred, since the nation came into life." It was a stunning statement of Grant's faith in the new black electorate. He further urged Congress to promote popular education so that "all who possess and exercise political rights, shall have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge which will make their share in the government a blessing.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
He has no desire to rise by the fall of others; no glorying over another's abasement;"
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Grant explained to Porter his aversion to profanities, saying "swearing helps to rouse a man's anger; and when a man flies into a passion his adversary who keeps cool always gets the better of him."50
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
to arm and exasperate the negroes in the South."75 Some Washington observers floated scenarios of a constitutional showdown in which Johnson would deploy Grant and the military to silence Congress. Suddenly Grant's political tendencies became of more than theoretical interest. Ben Butler, now a Radical Republican, wondered privately whether "Grant can be trusted to disobey positive orders of his chief? When the hour of peril comes, shall we not be
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Returning to his Manhattan town house on Christmas Eve, Grant, sixty-one, pivoted to hand the driver a holiday tip when he slipped on the icy pavement and crashed to the ground, tearing a thigh muscle and possibly fracturing his hip. Until then a robust man, he crumpled over in excruciating pain and was hoisted up the steps by servants. Through anxious winter weeks, he remained bedridden or hobbled about on crutches. Before long, his discomfort intensified with the agonizing onset of pleurisy, coupled with severe rheumatism that crept up his legs, making it difficult for him to negotiate the familiar rooms.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
He cleverly assumed that he was addressing loyal people and made common cause with them: I have come among you, not as an enemy, but as your friend and fellow-citizen, not to injure or annoy you, but to respect the rights, and to defend and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion against our common government, has taken possession of, and planted its guns upon the soil of Kentucky and fired upon our flag . . . He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy and to assert and maintain the authority and sovereignty of your Government and mine.5 For the first time,
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Like her youngest son, Julia administered stern lectures on republican virtue. Before supper, two noblewomen stopped by to school her in palace etiquette. "Mrs. Grant," one said, "I hope you will not feel fatigued. Our Queen always receives standing." Julia replied breezily, "Oh, I am sure I will not feel the fatigue. You must remember I too have received for the last eight years and always standing."32 Julia was at pains to remind the two women that they were dealing with American royalty. The
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
Julia would gladly have stayed for one more term and had no qualms about scrapping George Washington's precedent. "Oh, Ulys! was that kind to me?" she protested. "Was it just to me?" "Well," he replied, "I do not want to be here another four years. I do not think I could stand it." Rather than feel sympathy for her husband's plight as a profoundly overburdened president, Julia chose to feel "deeply injured.
book-quote
Ron Chernow _ Grant
While drinking almost never interfered with his official duties, it haunted his career and trailed him everywhere, an infuriating, ever-present ghost he could not shake. It influenced how people perceived him and deserves close attention. As with so many problems in his life, Grant managed to attain mastery over alcohol in the long haul, a feat as impressive as any of his wartime victories.
book-quote