Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

[340] Grant ever met him again. They had, however, one other difference which increased the bitterness of Grant's feeling. In 1883, General Grant came to the conclusion that as President, he had done Fitz John Porter a wrong in not allowing him a second trial; he accordingly set himself to studying the papers, and after careful examination became convinced that Porter was innocent of the charge of which he had been convicted. He at once determined to do whatever he could to right the wrong he thought he had helped to inflict. His course provoked much opposition; he risked the friendship of Logan and incurred the disapproval of many of his closest political and military associates; but he persisted in what he had undertaken, and doubtless his efforts contributed largely to the reversal of Porter's sentence, which was finally accomplished. Then the effort was made to restore Porter to the army, and a bill passed both houses of Congress, authorizing the President to replace him in his former rank. Grant took the liveliest interest in this effort, writing in its favor in the public press, and addressing the President himself on the subject, as well as members of the Cabinet. But Arthur vetoed the bill, on the ground that his dignity was infringed by the action of Congress in designating a person by name whom he was to appoint. Grant was extremely disappointed, and criticised both the action and the motives of the President with acerbity.

Soon after this followed Grant's financial misfortunes, and a bill was introduced in Congress to restore him to his former rank in the army; but Mr. Arthur made it known that he should oppose the measure on the same grounds as those on which he had vetoed the bill restoring Fitz John Porter. General Grant was incensed at this action on the part of the President; he said that he had not been court-martialed, and his remarks upon the dignity that Arthur was so anxious to protect were not complimentary to the Chief Magistrate. Nevertheless Arthur had no desire to prevent