Wilson actually desired to be Vice President . During his speech-making tour of the South , Wilson moderated his tougher Reconstruction ideology , advocating a biracial society , while urging African Americans and their white supporters to take a conciliatory and peaceful approach with Southern whites who had favored the Confederacy . Radicals , including Benjamin Wade , were stunned by Wilson 's remarks , believing blacks should not be subject to their former white owners . At the Republican Convention , Wilson , Wade and others competed for the Vice Presidential nomination , and Wilson had support among Southern delegates , but he failed to win after five ballots . Wade was also unable to win the convention vote , and Wilson 's delegates eventually switched their votes to Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax , who won the nomination and went on to win the general election with Grant at the head of the ticket . After Grant and Colfax won the 1868 election Wilson declined to serve as Secretary of War in Grant 's cabinet due to his desire to spend more time with Mrs. Wilson during her lengthy final illness
Republican Convention
1868 Republican National Convention
Henry Wilson