The Election of 1868

General Ulysses Grant received a unanimous vote on the first ballot at the Republican convention. Grant had emerged from the Civil War as the most popular hero.

Grant's Democratic opponent was Horatio Seymour of New York. Seymour was an extremely reluctant nominee, saying he would not be the candidate. In the end, the Democrats forced Seymour to run. He gained the nickname "the Great Decliner."

Grant did not campaign and made no promises. Seymour broke with tradition and campaigned actively in the North.

The Republicans promised continued radical reconstruction in the South. Democrats, on the other hand, promised more swift reintegration of the South. The Democrats attacked the Republicans for their promises of reconstruction. Republicans claimed the Democrats were going to give up all that was accomplished in the Civil War. They also attacked Grant for being a drunkard. Ultimately, it was Grant's personal popularity that determined the outcome of the election.