Family members Quote by Ron Chernow
““Around this time he performed a ceremony that he had contemplated for some time. He asked Fred to compose a letter requesting a future president of the United States to appoint his grandson Ulysses (Fred’s son) as a West Point cadet. Grant summoned family members and doctors as witnesses before he affixed his signature to the document. It was such a solemn gesture for him that as he folded the paper, a hush gripped the room. In 1898 President William McKinley would honor the request by appointing Ulysses S. Grant III, later a major general, to the academy.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Grant, Ron Chernow, 2017
Grant used a symbolic act to secure his grandson’s future, showing personal influence on institutional decisions.
In simple terms: Grant’s gesture secured a West Point appointment.
Key Takeaway
Leverage personal networks wisely.
Themes
family
influence
legacy
Mood
thoughtful
historical
Type
narrative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family legacy planning
- political patronage
- military recruitment
- historical research
Key Concepts
patronage
military appointments
symbolic acts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ethical to use personal influence for family advancement?
- How do such actions shape institutional integrity?
A Different Perspective
Such gestures may raise ethical concerns about nepotism.
![“To say this sacred prayer [the Kaddish, prayer for the dead] for a Gentile is a most uncommon proceeding, but so unanimous and ardent is the feeling of the people of the New York ghetto in the present instance that Pres. William McKinley is spoken of in that quarter as "the loving brother of all…” quote by Abraham Cahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c83/abraham-cahan-29449_ardent_to-say-this-sacred-prayer-the-kaddish-pr_2610924.jpg)
