It rested upon broader ground than popular gratitude for his military services--great as that sentiment was.
During the conflict between Congress and the President, General Grant had been placed in a trying position, and he had borne himself with a discretion and dignity which deepened the popular confidence in his sound judgment and his tact.

The people felt that besides the great qualities he had displayed in war, he was peculiarly fitted to lead in restoring peace and the reign of law.
Though the main work of the Convention was simply to ratify the popular choice, the party sent many conspicuous men as delegates.

Joseph R.
Hawley, William Claflin, Eugene Hale, George B.Loring, and William E.Chandler were present from the New-England States.

New York was especially strong in the number of its prominent men.

General Daniel E.Sickles, with his honorable war record, Lyman Tremaine, who had been Attorney-General of the State, Charles Andrews, since its Chief Justice, Moses H.Grinnell, Chauncey M.Depew, Ellis H.Roberts, Frank Hiscock, and others of scarcely less rank made up the notable delegation.