The Republicans chose Grant as their presidential candidate on the first ballot at the 1868 Republican National Convention in Chicago ; he faced no significant opposition . The Republicans kept the name " Union " on their ticket as had been done earlier at their 1864 convention . Grant received all 650 votes from delegates , with no other candidate being nominated , and upon the announcement was welcomed with a " frenzied enthusiasm " . In his letter of acceptance , Grant concluded with " Let us have peace " , which became his campaign slogan . For vice president , the delegates nominated House Speaker Schuyler Colfax . In June , Grant traveled to St. Louis , having gained possession of his father-in-law 's plantation , and an additional 280 acres of Dent land , he had twelve slave cabins demolished , to banish the vestiges of slavery . As was common practice at the time , Grant remained at home in Galena during the campaign , and left most of the active campaigning and speaking on his behalf to his campaign manager William E. Chandler and others
1868 Republican National Convention
1868 Republican National Convention
Ulysses S. Grant as commanding general, 1865–1869