Have you looked at a $50 bill lately? I haven't seen one in quite awhile, actually. But the image of General Grant that graces the front is really unforgettable. The stoic stare, eyes wide open, no smile, no giveaway smirk, just him, there to appreciate. We all learned in our high school history lessons that he won the Civil War for Abe Lincoln. Finished, end of story. But, oh, there's so much more.
With a little bit of inspection of the $50 note, one can see the lined face of a middle-aged man, no doubt a little over weight, and perhaps anxious or depressed and sad. This is the man in the late period of his second presidential term, 1872-1876. He had 8 years of the White House where he sat besieged by office seekers, lobbyists of the day, a Father who traded on his son's fame, a Father-in-law who maintained that the South was cheated of victory(sound familiar?), a spouse who exalted in Washington, D.C. as the No.1 socialite hostess, and, most telling: the problem of how to support oneself after leaving office(no pension for presidents yet). What to do? Take a trip. A trip, indeed.
Shortly after his departure from the White House, he and Julia, his social climbing wife, departed on a world tour that would consume the next 2 years and 4 months of their lives. Yes, he left town for the globe for 28 months. He visited his daughter in England, the wife of a British nobleman( a loser/ cad). The story of their travels is a good one. It seems the world wanted to see the man who saved a nation. He was feted wherever they landed. Crowds appeared whenever news noted their arrival. It was a most remarkable excursion for a man who had limited experience outside of his military assignments. Grant was one of the most apolitical politicians in American history, rarely campaigning at all before or after his election(s). He only began campaigning when he sought the nomination once again in 1880( he lost the nomination at the Republican convention).
more later
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