Worst President of these three (19th-century Republicans)

[Mechaman]

Voted for Hayes.

McKinley was a pretty horrible president, but Hayes set the stage for the right wing takeover of the GOP by ending Reconstruction, busting unions, and being a pro-gold hack.  The effect that surrendering the South to the Democratic Parties that existed then was an incredible mistake that arguably effected virtually every single vote Congress took from 1877 onwards.

Arguably, you could blame Hayes for why goldbug warmongers like McKinley eventually became the standard in the GOP rather than the exceptions.

[Mechaman]

Voted for Hayes.

McKinley was a pretty horrible president, but Hayes set the stage for the right wing takeover of the GOP by ending Reconstruction, busting unions, and being a pro-gold hack.  The effect that surrendering the South to the Democratic Parties that existed then was an incredible mistake that arguably effected virtually every single vote Congress took from 1877 onwards.

Arguably, you could blame Hayes for why goldbug warmongers like McKinley eventually became the standard in the GOP rather than the exceptions.

Remember when you use to actually examine figures in history rather than make them into absurd stereotypes?

In any case, voted Hayes.

That doesn't prevent me from forming opinions about said historical figures.

For the record, I always thought McKinley was a warmonger and a goldbug.  He was actually a pretty decent Republican on labor issues and eventually evolved on trade issues, but other than that he was pretty horrible.

None of this to deny Grant's own pretty pro-gold stances and protectionist views, either.