He had mighty antagonists.

There were not only very able Democrats, like Randall and Kerr and Holman, but there were mighty leaders among the Republicans.

There was little party discipline.

Each of them seemed bent on having his own way and taking care of himself, and ready to trip up or overthrow any of his rivals without mercy or remorse.

Among them were Butler and Farnsworth and Garfield and Logan and Schenck and Kelly and Banks and Bingham and Sargent and Blaine and Poland.
I was not in the habit of going often to the White House when Grant was President.