If we are to have another (civil war), I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon’s but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other. — President U. S. Grant – September 29, 1875
On April 27, 2022, the nation will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of our 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant. The date will go largely unnoticed except for the laying of a wreath at his tomb by a representative of the President — a tradition established by the White House and the U.S. military that honors each deceased president on his birthday.
On Cleveland’s Public Square, there will be a display in Grant’s honor at the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monument that honors the citizens of Cuyahoga County who served in the Civil War. Grant is a central figure on a mural displaying Ohio’s Union Generals and President Abraham Lincoln. Holding his ever-present cigar, Grant stands beside his friend and fellow Ohioan General William T. Sherman.
Born Hiram S. Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio, Grant graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June of 1843. He is one of two presidents who graduated from West Point — the other being Dwight D. Eisenhower. Graduating 21st in a class of 39, he had a relatively lackluster career in the military during the Mexican War.
He resigned from the Army in 1854 over allegations of too much time spent with a bottle — a fact that could have been true since he was often depressed over being separated from his wife and family. After leaving the service, he tried his hand at farming and business with little success.
In 1861, when the Civil War started, Grant re-entered the military. When Grant was criticized for some of his military tactics, Lincoln was quoted as saying “I can’t spare this man, he fights.” When allegations were made about Grant’s drinking, Lincoln quipped that he would like to send a barrel of Grant’s whiskey to his other generals.
In March of 1864 Lincoln promoted Grant to Commanding General of the United States Army — a rank shared with only one other American — General George Washington. His ascendancy over three years, from a failed businessman to the most powerful military leader in the United States, is legendary. He became the face of the Union’s victory over the South. His image is on the $50 bill and his statue stands on the west side of the Capital Building in Washington, D.C.
After the Civil War, Grant was elected President for two terms serving from 1869-1877. His popularity was such that there was talk of him running for a third term in 1880. His memoirs — which he literally completed on his death bed — were a best seller that supported his family after his death since there were no presidential pensions at that time. At the time of his death in 1885, there was a National Day of Mourning.
His tomb is the largest mausoleum in North America and well into the early 20th century, it was a must-see attraction for visitors to New York City. But as the Civil War generation died off, so did interest in Grant. Celebrations marked the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1922. But by the 150th anniversary the day passed largely unnoticed. The 200th anniversary this month will be recognized by only the most ardent Civil War and Presidential trivia buffs.
From a late 19th century pantheon of American society, Grant dropped to the near bottom in presidential ratings as historians accused him and his administration of corruption and graft. By the 1950s, comedian Groucho Marx would often ask contestants on his game show You Bet Your Life the most obvious question in American history — Who’s buried in Grant’s Tomb?
In recent years Grant has had a revival among historians, especially due to Ron Chernow’s bestselling 2017 biography. He is now credited with taking positive steps in Civil Rights, voting rights and restoring the Union. Among historians, his stock has risen. In a current CBS ranking of presidents, he is listed as 24th with James Buchanan listed as dead last; Donald Trump as second to last; and George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln leading the pack as one, two and three, respectively.
Grant’s prediction regarding another civil war is a prophetic gem of wisdom. The divisions in our country today are fueled by Donald Trump and his minions of followers who live in a world of white supremacy, nativism, jingoism, isolationism and a belief in wild conspiracy theories propagated by QAnon.
Just this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis predicted that if Stacey Abrams were elected governor of Georgia, there would be a Cold War between Florida and Georgia. That’s a sad reflection on American society. Especially when you consider that DeSantis is not some uneducated backwoodsman. He has an undergraduate degree from Yale and a law degree from Harvard. DeSantis and his neanderthal ways of thinking regarding the way students are taught in school, gun rights, treatment of LGBTQ citizens and voting rights are fueling the fires of hate and dissension.
Maybe it’s time to look back at our past and recall the words of wisdom of a man considered a mediocre president and realize that our nation is headed in the wrong direction. Society is allowing superstition, ambition and ignorance — just as Grant predicted — to frame the mindset of people we send to Washington and our state capitals. Patriotism and intelligence are losing out. Just take a minute to compare the babblings of Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene; Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Ohio Congressman “Jacketless” Jim Jordan. Watch the footage of January 6, 2021. Watch the commercials for the current crop of Republican candidates for the United States Senate from Ohio. Need I say more?
C. Ellen Connally is a retired judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court. From 2010 to 2014 she served as the President of the Cuyahoga County Council. An avid reader and student of American history, she serves on the Board of the Ohio History Connection, is currently vice president of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monument Commission and past president of the Cleveland Civil War Round Table. She holds degrees from BGSU, CSU and is all but dissertation for a PhD from the University of Akron.