|
I really had no objection to going to West Point, except that I had a very exalted idea of the acquirements necessary to get through. I did not believe I possessed them, and could
not bear the idea of failing.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
Going to West Point would give me the opportunity of visiting the two great cities of the continent, Philadelphia and New York. This was
enough. When these places were visited I would have been glad to have had a steamboat or railroad collision, or any other accident happen, by which I might have received a temporary injury sufficient to make
me ineligible, for a time, to enter the Academy. Nothing of the kind occurred, and I had to face the music.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
I reported at West Point on the 30th or 31st of May, and about
two weeks later passed my examination for admission, without difficulty, very much to my surprise.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On his time at West Point
A military life had no charms for me, and I had not
the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On his time at West Point
I did not take hold of my studies with avidity, in
fact I rarely ever read over a lesson the second time during my entire cadetship.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On his time at West Point
There is a fine library connected with the Academy from which cadets
can get books to read in their quarters. I devoted more time to these, than to books relating to the course of studies. Much of the time, I am sorry to say, was devoted to novels, but not those of a
trashy sort. I read all of Bulwer's then published, Cooper's, Marryat's, Scott's, Washington Irving's works, Lever's, and many others that I do not now remember.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On his time at West Point
Generally the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation was consummated or not; but not so all of them. For myself, I was
bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad
example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory.
U. S. Grant, Memoirs, On the annexation of Texas and the Mexican War
The occupation, separation
and annexation were, from the inception of the movement to its final consummation, a conspiracy to acquire territory out of which slave states might be formed for the American Union.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On the annexation of Texas
It is to the credit of the American nation, however, that after conquering Mexico, and while practically holding the country in our possession, so that
we could have retained the whole of it, or made any terms we chose, we paid a round sum for the additional territory taken; more than it was worth, or was likely to be, to Mexico. To us it was an empire and of
incalculable value; but it might have been obtained by other means. The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their
transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
I do not believe I ever would have the courage to fight a duel. If any
man should wrong me to the extent of my being willing to kill him, I would not be willing to give him the choice of weapons with which it should be done, and of the time, place and distance separating us, when I
executed him. If I should do another such a wrong as to justify him in killing me, I would make any reasonable atonement within my power, if convinced of the wrong done. I place my opposition to dueling
on higher grounds than here stated. No doubt a majority of the duels fought have been for want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, On dueling
I know
from my own experience that when I was at West Point, the fact that tobacco, in every form, was prohibited, and the mere possession of the weed severely punished, made the majority of the cadets, myself included,
try to acquire the habit of using it. I failed utterly at the time and for many years afterward; but the majority accomplished the object of their youthful ambition.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
Experience
proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate "war,
pestilence, and famine," than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun. The history of the defeated rebel will be honorable hereafter, compared with that of the Northern man who aided him by conspiring
against his government while protected by it. The most favorable posthumous history the stay-at-home traitor can hope for is--oblivion.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
Every Sunday there was a bull fight
for the amusement of those who would pay their fifty cents. I attended one of them--just one--not wishing to leave the country without having witnessed the national sport. The sight to me was
sickening. I could not see how human beings could enjoy the sufferings of beasts, and often of men, as they seemed to do on these occasions.
Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs, Comments on bullfighting, which he
witnessed while garrisoned after the conclusion of the Mexican War
|
