Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1876-09-06
Our Presidents.

our government rs now formed has only
been in existence for Il period of eighty
seven years General Washington. oar
! first President entered Office in 1889
Since that dl.e we have had eighteen
Presidents. 1t will, perhaps, be worth
while, in this centennial and also election
wear, to look back over the list of our
chosen rulers, and gather Il few facts re-
latinw to them.
1t must be said. that. while all Of our
Presidents have been men of good ablIl
ties, of large experience in the world, and
eminent III some qualities fitting them to
govern. there is but one here and there
who could be clls>rd in the front rank of
craftsmanship. Washington was rather 4
good. pure and judiciou> ruler, than one
profound in political knowledge or bold IN
political conception and vision. John Ad-
ans. had. perhaps. more political talent,
but he WIS rather courageous and head
strong, than fertile in resources.
OF the Presidents. Jefferson was un-
doubtedlv the greatest a> u statesman. 1t
WAS he who formed the broad democratic
policy which has, ever since his time,
shaped our political career and des my
Jackson WAS eminent rs \ bold executive
officer He made up his mind what was
right. and then went forward and did 1t. in
spite Of every obstacle, Lincoln WAS
great in his honesty and patriotism. his
simplicity, and the qucknts>S with which
he felt and followed the in~ ~piration OF pub
ic opinion These three Presidents are all
of whom il may b. sti that they were in
lrlectutllv. ~ well rs morally, IN the
foremost rank Of men.
Oar Presidents were All rip. in years
before. they entered upon the duties OF their
high office Harrison was III" oldest Of
the Presidents. being >iN.y-ci-ht when he
assumed Office; Gram l. the youngest.
Irviny hccon" President nt the age OF
forlv-,cvcn. OF the others, Buchanan and
raylor were >iXlv-tivc John Adams and
Jackson were >iAtv-two. Jefferson Ma1
lSun. Monroe and John Quincv Adams
We're tlttv-eigh,. Washington and JOHN
~on were tiity- seven. Van Burcn IS fifty
five. Lincoln WAS tif;v-two, Tyler fifty
Fillmore and Polk, fifty, and Pierce forty
eight.
Of the Presidents, All bat four-W ash
ing on. Harrison. Taylor and Grant. the
military Prr~idrnt>-wtre educated rs
E.vvtr>. though some of them Won their
fame in other fields. Ii - worthy of no.e.
that oar carly Presidents We're men OF ar
i>totr;ttic fmiiy, means and high social
pO~itiun. Ih;> WAS the case with all down
To- Jackson, Who AIS 4 " self made Pre>l-
dent. hen Presidents who owed their
rmin, nee to their own cN"ltInns, having
risen from humble beginnings. btcamr
more frequent. and OF such, Lincoln. John
n and Fillmore are the chlci examples.
John Adams. jefferson. Madison, John
&. Adams, Pierce and Buchanan were col
lege-brtl. johnson, on the o,hrr hand,
WAS taught To read hv his wife, and Lin
coin i >;.iI to lave had bat >lN weeks
schooling.
Virginia has had five of the Presidents.
three OF whom. were in direct succession
M,>>arhu-elt, has had two; Tennessee
three; New York. two; Illinois. two
Ohio. Louisiana, New Hampshire and
P.nn-ylvani:, one tarh. 50 The South has
also. Wtstmorland County, Virginia.
WAS the birth place Of both Washington
and Monroe Ii is curious that three OF
the Presidents John Adams. Jefferson
and Monroe died on the fourth of July
and il is vet more singular that the first
two died exactly fifty YEAR alter the day
on which they both signed the Declaration
of Independence which jefferson had
written.
SlN Of the Presidents have been elected
and have served two trrm> in office,
Washington. Jefferson, Madison. Monroe.
Jacks on and Grant; while one. Lincoln,
was elected for 4 second term but died
u,t A. he was entering upon it. Three
Presidents have died in office. All the
Presidents bat one have been married men.
Buchanan being the only bachelor i'rr>l-
,!tnt
On the whole, ii may hc sad that our
line Of rulers than the European sover-
cigns who have governed during the same
period although, in every case. except
perhaps that of jefferson. there have been
more able statesmen living in the United
States than the President for the time be-
ing Iouhs comp u4l0n.