Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-10-11
Anecdotes of Presidents.

Anecdotes of Presidents.
s.. .... , JOHN ADAMS. . s... ..rl i..'
It Is well known how averse John Adj
ans was to signing his name. There
seemed no reason for what was, perhaps,
mere eceentricity. although it has been
suggested that the simple, round, bOyish
hand he wrote made him ashamed OF his
signature. But that solution is more un-
accountable than the fact. After his ac-
cession to the Presidency, he was greatly
annoyed by autograph faneiers, whom he
was accustomed to put off with severity
A paper of large size and of some fanciful
character had been brought to him by a
personal friend who begged the favor for
another person of his signature, and by
some tack had procured his promise of it,
He was sitting at his official table, with a
multitude of routine documents awaiting
his signature. Among them was an orna-
mental sheet in which was contained draft
OF his response to some honorary distinc-
tion which had been conferred upon him
| by learned society or institution in Ger
many. Turning the trick of his friend in
to joke, the President intending to sign
| by the ~ mark, placed his hand to the
wrong paper, and then handed it to clerk,
who mechanically obeyed his directions to
supply the name in the customary form OF
ali illiterate sgner, then folded the dOcu-
ment, sealed it, aud placed it in the mail.
The intended victim of the joke was will
| ing to forego his object for the turn which
the thing had taken. The archives of some
German institution, doubtless, contains to
this day good evidence that one of the
most illustrious of the American Presi-
dents acknowledged a compliment to his
| learning in a document which he could not
| read, and to which he could not so much as
sign his name. ...
JACKSON.
When the Treasury Building was in pro-
gress of erection, it was the practice OF
General jackson to come out of an even
ing and watch the work. He would often
be seen sitting on the blocks of stone in the
awkward attitude produced, especially in
a person of long legs by drawing the heels
near to the seat, bringing the knees toward
the chin. His hat would lie by his side, a
large red bandana handkerchief protruding
from it, while in his mouth the inevitable
clay pipe would be TRANQUILITY puffed. The
labOrers frequently exchanged with the
President the smokers courtesy of light
and once accidentally breaking his pipe, he
did not scruple to borrow that of the Irish
man. '
Once while thus engaged, he overheard
an Irishman cursing with great energy,
after every few syllables ejecting with
loud vehemence the fearful by the
Eternal ''-an imprecation which had come
to be associated with himself. Suspecting
some impudent drollery in the man, he sent
to inquire into the trouble. The Irishman
promptly laid down his shovel, aud boldly
advanced to the grim old General.
"What are you swearing about, sir"
"Plase your honor, yer inimies put the
same bad words in yer own mouth, bad
luck to them, says Martin ORourke-tha's
meself yer humble servant"
WELL" said the Presidents I" If | swear
by the Eternal, that is bad enough, it is nc
reason why you should" a...
"Sure-may God forgive us both-the
Eternal is no bigger to the least of Pat
Rooney's great grandchildren than to
General Jackson himselfw ..g.,,..
The company present laughed, but it Is
said that Jackson looked very grave. He
kindly gave the man a dollar and sent him
off forthwith to his work. Il I,g ... a.,
"'."' ..f . FILLMORE. 3D. .i.'H..
On the 1st day of April, Mr.. Fillmore
who is regarded as himself something of d
wag, was unostentatiously walking down
Pennsylvania avenue, and passing the
dwelling of citizen, the latter gentleman
decorously salnted the President, who ac-
knowledged the courtesy with his usual
suavity. A group of boys, including the
polite citizens son, mischievous but in
Senious and sprightly lad of six or seven,
had collected for the exercise of the usual
privilege of Allfools day. At the moment
of the pleasing and respectable Interchange
of courtesies between his father and the
President, the son suddenly cried out
ignorant, of course, Of the person of hi;
IT NNIrl A.
are out at the seat?" Before the exaspe.
rated father could overcome his chagrin
Mr.. Fillmore, completely surprised, sud.
denly stopped to see after his pantaloons
the boys vociferating "April fool! April
foolw With the most perfect good nature
the President, smiling said, $50 am, boys
and passed on. Theindignation and regret
of the gentlemanly citizen were heightened
by the fact that he was attached to the op.
poslte political party. ....-.
|! -i.t i"a BUCHANAN. pt.'H.u
The following learn from gentleman
who served in the army of the rebel Con
federacy: H''
The day after the secession of South Car.
olina, in December 1861, palmetto badge.
and rosettes appeared on the hats and lap.
pels at every public place. A considerable
number of clerks in the departments were
sufficiently insensible of the gross incon.
sistency of the act to thus publicly signify
their Reputation Of the Government Of the
United States, of which they were official
agents. They were Immediately removed
from office, without, i believe. any excep-
ton, especially in the Treasury Depart.
. ment, in which General Dix had Just been
installed. One of these clerks, having
been removed by Gen, Dix, appealed, and
had the presumption to abuse the already
eulpable tolerance of the President, by pre-.
!. senting himself before him with rebe
rosette on his breast. "Before Lean heal
one word of your case, we must settle this
questions: Is that thing on your coat be.
coming to aFederal official ?" inquired tn,
-%Yes, sir, in my opinion it is" laI INK,
"Well," rejoined Mr.. Buchanan, 81 am
Federal. official. How would it look OF
me ~ qa1, "a, los slryH.gg1u -y-s o,fo
The clerk was nonplussed. 7 He attempt
ed some sophistical equivocation, but th,
President cut him short, HYQu ought tC
be turned out 10 any event; If you thinI
secession badge becoming the Presiden
of the UnitedS States, you oughtto be turned
out of office. If you think clerk shoul(
wear a,political badge that the president
II IL or - !,