Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis explained
Grant reflects on his resignation from the army, his struggles in private life—farming in Missouri, a real estate venture, and a clerkship in Galena—and his evolving political views leading up to the Civil War.
What happens
Grant reflects on his resignation from the army, his struggles in private life—farming in Missouri, a real estate venture, and a clerkship in Galena—and his evolving political views leading up to the Civil War. He discusses the illogic of secession, the inherent right of revolution, the dangers of secret political parties, and his vote for Buchanan in 1856 to avert disunion.
Themes in this chapter
Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance
Grant describes his hard work farming, his refusal to rely on others, and his decision to leave the Know-Nothing party after one meeting, emphasizing personal honesty and independence.
National Union and Constitutional Crisis
Grant analyzes the constitutional arguments around secession, the failure of the framers to anticipate such a crisis, and the inherent right of revolution versus the illegality of secession.
Slavery and Racial Justice
Grant discusses the institution of slavery as the root of the conflict, the fears of emancipation, and the eventual liberation of four million slaves, while noting that social equality was not a necessary outcome.
The Role of Providence and Fate
Grant reflects on the unforeseen contingencies that the Constitution's framers could not have anticipated, and the 'inevitable conflict' that began with the annexation of Texas.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Narrator; resigns from the army, works as a farmer, real estate agent, and clerk in Galena; votes for Buchanan in 1856; briefly joins the Know-Nothing party.
- Abraham Lincoln
Mentioned indirectly as the Republican candidate elected in 1860, whose victory precipitated secession.
- James B. McPherson
Not mentioned in excerpts.
- John A. Rawlins
Not mentioned in excerpts.
- Henry W. Halleck
Not mentioned in excerpts.
- William T. Sherman
Not mentioned in excerpts.
- Robert E. Lee
Not mentioned in excerpts.
- Jefferson Davis
Not mentioned in excerpts.
Key passages
“Secession was illogical as well as impracticable; it was revolution. Now, the right of revolution is an inherent one.”
Grant argues that secession was both unreasonable and unworkable, amounting to revolution, but acknowledges that revolution is a natural right when a people are oppressed.
Grant's philosophical justification for the Union cause while recognizing the theoretical right of revolution.
“I have no apologies to make for having been one week a member of the American party; for I still think native-born citizens of the United States should have as much protection, as many privileges in their native country, as those who voluntarily select it for a home.”
Grant does not regret his brief membership in the Know-Nothing party, as he believes native-born citizens deserve equal protection, but he condemns secret oath-bound political parties as dangerous.
Grant's nuanced view on nativism and secret societies.
“I therefore voted for James Buchanan for President. Four years later the Republican party was successful in electing its candidate to the Presidency. The civilized world has learned the consequence.”
Grant voted for Buchanan in 1856 to prevent secession, but four years later Lincoln's election led to the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves.
Grant's personal political choice and its historical aftermath.
