The Stalwarts , led by Grant 's old political ally , Roscoe Conkling , saw the ex-president 's renewed popularity as a way for their faction to regain prominence . Grant said nothing publicly , but privately he wanted the job and encouraged his men . Elihu B. Washburne wrote to Grant in February 1880 , urging him to run ; Grant demurred , saying he would be happy for the Republicans to win with another candidate , though he preferred James G. Blaine to John Sherman . Even so , Conkling and John A. Logan began to organize delegates in Grant 's favor . When the convention convened in Chicago in June there were more delegates pledge to Grant than to any other candidate , but he was short of a majority
the convention
1880 Republican National Convention
Post-presidency of Ulysses S. Grant