The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-28
Senator's for Life,

Wnat TO GO with the men who have been
our chiet magistrates is problem which
greatly distresses certain legislators and pub
llcists, but which does not, in the opinion of
people generally, pressingly call for solution.
The latest proposition of the kind is that
made in the House by Mr.. Harrison of Ili-
nois, who suggests that our ex-presidents be
made senators for life, with no vote and no
power 10 preside over the Senate. The plan
certainly has some advantages, and offers an
excellent solution of the problem. But is
the problem worth the trouble of solving?
There are ex-presidents and ex-presidents.
Some perhaps need an asylum such as the
Senate would be. Those who have been
lifted TO their high prominence by chance
and political necessity or intrigue rather than
by any merit of their own. and who mme-
diately retire into inglorious obscurity upon
the expiration Of their tenn of Office may be
willing, in order to keep themselves before
the public gaze, to accept position COM
pared with which that of Doge of Venice
In her decline, or Of Japanese Mikado, or
OF a Merovingian Sluggard, would be useful
and honorable. Men of mean ambition
like this we can easily spare, and the sooner
they drop out of public life the better. Those
OF loftier nature aud larger merit need
occupy no curule chair in order to keep them
selves in the public view, and would prefer
to influence and shape opinion as other citi-
zens OF character and talent do rather than
to occupy purely honorary position without
voice, without influence, and without respon-
sibilty. Washington, Adams, jefferson,
Jackson, in their honorable retirement ex-
ercised that control over the opinions of the
nation to which they were entitled BY their
lofty character, great talents, aAd eminent
public services; and Mount Vernon, Month
cello, and the Hermitage became shrines to
which the younger statesmen resorted for
counsel, instruction and guidance. Such a
shrine would Springfield have become had
Lincoln lived. But no position, however
lofty, and no title, however magniloquent,
could have made of value the opinions of
John Tyler or James Buchanan after their
retirement from the presidency. Those men
of active and restless minds, to whom quiet
is irasome and private station exile, the hab-
its and traditions of our public life permit to
continue in the fight after the standard has
been handed over to other hands. The long,
honorable, and useful career of John Quincy
Adams, and the important part taken by
Martin Van Buren,, after the expiration of
their presidential terms are instances in point.
There is another objection to the PROPOSE
ton ofthe man from Illinois. 1t leads to an
undue enlargement Of the pension system.
1t lends encouragement to the view which
many people apparently entertain that man
who has once been given public trust there
by establishes claim upon the people, and
that the country is ever after obliged to sup
port him. Doubtless men who have devoted
their lives to the civil service and have worn
themselves out in the discharge of its duties
are entitled to some such consideration as
that bestowed upon men in the military SER
vice. But with the presidency the case is
different The presidency is the very highest
reward the people can offer. 1t is the very
crown CT honorable ambition, and in bestow-
ing it the debt due to patriotic service and
wise counsel and able leadership is fully dis.
charged. 1t is an affront TO the man whom
we have lifted upon our shields 10 put him in
the position of court attendant. After Civ.
ing an apple it is not in the best taste to fol
low the act up with gift of the parings.
These objections TO the scheme of life-sen
ators naturally present themselves. Perhaps
there are arguments held in reserve which
may overcome them; but they have not ye
been brought forward.