Mr. Bird was a public spirited man, and he was
especially liberal towards men and causes in whose fortunes or fate he
had become interested. Upon the close of the war there was a tendency
in the public mind to advance the successful military men to posts of
honor and power in civil life. Some were chosen to the Senate and the
House, some were appointed to important diplomatic places, and General
Grant was elected President. Many of the politicians were disturbed,
and chief among them was Mr. Chase, who allowed the use of his name as
a candidate for the Presidency in the Democratic Convention of 1868.
From that time many persons who had been conspicuous as anti-slavery
men before the war, separated from the Republican Party and joined the
Democracy. Mr. Bird was one of many such.
There were a small number of men who had been members of the Convention
of 1820 who were members of the Convention of 1853. Of these Mr.
Robert Rantoul, of Beverly, was conspicuous, partly on account of his
age, partly on account of his services and character, and partly as
the father of Robert Rantoul, Jr. He was a noticeable figure in the
Convention of 1853. Mr. Rantoul, Jr., had died at Washington the
preceding year. His death was a public loss, and especially so to the
anti-slavery wing of the Democratic Party to which he maintained his
allegiance up to the time of his death.
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