tern
boundary line, and the "Alabama Claims." The last and most important
subject was referred to an international court of arbitration, which met
at Geneva, Switzerland, and on September 14, 1872, awarded to the United
States a gross sum of $15,500,000, which was paid by Great Britain. This
was the most important international issue that had ever been settled by
voluntary submission to arbitration. It was long regarded as the
harbinger of peace between nations.

Other important things done were the establishment of the first weather
bureau; the honorable settlement of the outrage of Spain in the case of
the Virginius, an alleged filibustering vessel which Spain seized,
executing a large part of its crew in Cuba; and the settlement of the
northwest boundary question. It should be said also that the President
made a firm stand in behalf of national financial integrity.

But during the four years there was a steady deterioration in the tone
of official life, and a steady growth of corruption and abuses in the
administration of government. The President exhibited a strange lack of
moral perception and stamina in the sphere of politics. Unprincipled
flatterers, adventurers, and speculators gained a surprising influence
with him. His native obstinacy showed itself especially in insistence
upon his personal, ill-instructed will. He became intractable to
counsels of wisdom, and seemed to be a radically different man from the
sincere, modest soldier of the civil war. He affected the society of the
rich, whom he never before had opportunity of knowing. He accepted with
an indiscreet eagerness presents and particular favors from persons of
whose motives he should have been suspicious. Jay Gould and James Fisk
used him in preparing the conditions for the corner of the gold market
that culminated in "Black Friday." He provided fat offices for his
relatives with a liberal hand, and prostituted the civil service to
accomplish his aims and reward his supporters.

In consequence of these things there was great disaffection in the
Republican party, which culminated in open revolt. Yet he was supported
by the majority. The Democratic party, meantime, making a virtue of
necessity, proclaimed a purpose to accept the results of the war,
including the constitutional amendments, as accomplished facts not to be
disturbed or further opposed. This made an opportunity for a union of
all elements opposed to the reelection of Grant, leading Democ