The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-17
DEATH OF PRESIDENTS.


on the 18th day of December 1899, in the 6Sth
year of his age. Death came suddenly to him
so suddenly that the tidings Of his sickness
and his decease simultaneously reached the
Halls of Congress.
John Adams came to the send of all living"
| at his residence in Quincy, Mass, on the 4th
of July, 1926, realizing what day it was, aud
rejoicing in it, He gradually and quietly ex-
/ pired at the patriarchal age of fourscore years
| and ten.
Thomas Jefferson, by an extraordinary coinci-
dence, breathed his last at Monticello, on the
same day that his venerebls compatriot Adams
| died-thc jubilee of American Independence.
He had reached the advanced age of eighty
three.
James Madison, the "man of Constitution" )"
and one of the wsest statesmen our country
eve. produced, peacefully closed his earthly ca
reer at Montpelier, Va, on the 28th of June,
1886, in his eighty sixth year.
james Monroe died in the city Of New York.
on the 18th day of July, 1881, in his eightieth
year. He was pure patriot, and the last Of
the Presidents who served in the eventful days
of the Notwithstanding been Colonel in
the Continental army He particularly enjoy
ed the confidence of Washington, aud the period
Of his wise and peaceful administration was
characterized as ''tLe era Of good feeling"
John Quincy Adams expired in the Capital
at Washington, on the 23d day of February,
ls4s; literally dying in his country's service, at
the age Of eighty-one. To the last he was Of
the class of lifes busy men; and identified as he
had been from boyhood with the public service,
twas solemnly striking and appropriate that
the halls of the national council should hear his
dying words. He was struck with paralysis
while in his seat in the House of Representa-
tives.
Andrew Jackson died at the Hermitage, near
Nashville, on the Sth Of June, 1S45, in his sew
enty ninth year He must have been great
man, indeed, who could cluster the affections OF
whole people around him as this distinguish
ed soldier and patriot did. His popularity had
no parallel but that of Washington.
Martin Van Buren, died at his birthplace,
Kinderhook, Columbia county, n. Y, on the
24th Of July, 1862, in his eightieth year. His
admin n;stration from 1887 to. 1871, was period
marked by great financial distress throughout
the country, which was charged by his political
opponents upon the policy he pursued III man
aging the public finances through the agency
Of the independent treasury. He failed of re-
nomination the second term, however, on ac-
count of his opposition TO the annexation of
Texas He an homes man.
William Henry Harrison died on the 4th of
April, 1871, exactly one month after his inau-
guration, aged sixty eight. He was the first
President who died io office, and at the Execu
tive Mansion. lie had gained deep hold up
on the peoples heart, and no one living at that
time can ever forget the profound and universal
expression of sympathy which his death ooca.
stoned.
John Tyler, elected Vice President, and who
succeeded General Harrison for the remainder
of his term, rcnounced his allegiance to the
United States in 1861, and. died the following
year in Richmond, Va, in his seventy-second
year; being at the time a Senator Of Virginia,
10 the Confederate Congress, then ia session at
Richmond II was good man
James Knox Polk died at his home In Ten
nessee, on the 18th of une 1S49, only three
months after the expiration of his term of office,
and in his ffty-fourth year He Of
unquestionable ability and talent, and achieved
the highest honor his country could bestow, at
a much earlier age than any of his predecessors.
Zachary Taylor died on the 9th of July,
1850, when he had been but sixteen months in
Office, called forth the deepest expressions of a !
nations grief; and everywhere the full heart of
the people was touched beyond what adequate
words could utter. He died at the Presidential
Mansion in his sixty:sixth year.
The circumstances attending the death of
the public to need repitition.
The present Chief Magistrate of the United
States is the seventeenth in succession. OF the
sixteen former ones, but three now survive
Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James
Buchanan.
THE VAULTS OF THE BANK OF France
The walls of these vaults are Of stupendous
thick ness On descending the steps leading to
their entrance, the first obstacle We find is an
iron door, locked with three keys, one of which
is In the hands Of the Governor Of the Bank;
the second is kept by the cashier, and the third
by the censor, so that this door cannot be open
ed without the simultaneous consent OF these
three functionaries. We thus gain access to the
first compartment containing funds tor current !,
use. The safe kept here is so cnrlously con-
that if you do not know the secret OF
its construction, the slightest touch anywhere
will set a noise alarm agoing loud enough to
startle all the inmates of the establishment. !
The next compartment is circular and called !
the serree; it cannot be entered without the
same ceremonial, and is fitted up with fire proof
shelves. 1t contains all the important deeds,
notes and papers belonging TO the Bank, also |
the deposits of private persons After the
serree come the vaults properly eo-called, the !
entrance to which is closed by an iron door, !
secured by several combination locks; it turrs !
on central piyots, like Italian doors 1t gives
access to a wall hole containing winding stair
case, admitting but one Eersou at time, and
leading to subterraaean galleries four hnsdred
and twenty metres in length. These are hlled
with iron casks containing :ingots aud coin and
labelled according to their contents. By way
of additional security, the wall-hole might be /
6ioo nth cl.v .nd tho vauts with wafer /