The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-15

TAk RHESLDEETxAL LADDER.


rsE 1HEsLDEHTIAL LADDSR.
Tho Hasa Of Mon who navo Climbed It
fs.AM Stoads I-ead to Romc.
% Elom the Philadelphia Tues.
L George Washington belonged to tho
shtEhsAtI clessea aud was knoiyn Rs a
iuRirginia gentleman" 3iisYa,nily be-
ldnEed to the aristo .racy and was coils
nssted With the English gentry. INV
began life as a surveyor, but llis social
position was increased and he obtained
wealth by marrying the Widow Gus
lis. 4 story is told Of his later years
that poor Firginian ofquality, whom
lle Ind reproveu, rctorted sharply, II
| should like to know George Washing
! ton, what you would have been il YOU
hadn't married the Widow Custis."
| Washington smiled, because the man
was poor and unfortunate, but he rare
ly allowed such liberties.
John Adams was a son Of a farmer
aud shoemaker, although his family
had been settled in Massachusetts for
seven generations. The Adamscs are
one Of Il few American families that
can be called historical. They are
known in politics, law, literature and
| craftsmanship. They arc also known
for their wealth. No family can COM
pare with them in the number OF Off
ccs they have filed and the respect in
| which they are entertained. In ancient
Rome they would have been called n
consular family. They arc the Adumscs
Of Quincy, and IN France Charles
Francis Adams would be called NJ. dc
Quincy. Quincy is an old French, or
| rather a Normun name, and appears III
the roll of Battle Abby. 1t has only a
territorial relation to the Adamscs.
The name belongs properly to another
great American family, descended from
an ancestor who was born in the bat
| tie OF Hastings, A. D. *lOGG. John
Adams was lawyer by profession.
Thomas Jefferson was also a lawyer.
His family held good, tut not high,
social rank in Virginia. He made for
himself great name for all times as a
legislator, an author, Il diplomatist
and political leader, but his greatest
achievement was the writing of the
Declaration ofIndcpendcnce. He came
into public life through the struggle
between the Colonies and England.
James Madison came from wealthy
family Of Virginia planters. lie was q
| lawyer, but never practiscd much at
the har. having entered nmh!!::o ie very
carly. lie was Il great student.
James Monroe was also the son Of a
Vi,ginid plan, er and lawyer, but like
Ma lison he went early into public life.
He served hon0mhly in the army and
III many civil offices. He had wide
experience in public affairs and Il
| thorough training in statcsmanShiD.
John Quincy Adams was the oldest
son of john Adams and Il LAWYER: but
his life was devoted 10 public service,
with few interludcs given to literary
pursuits. lie was educated for states
manship by his parents and lad Il
lrgcr md more varied experience in
public life than any other President.
Andrew Jackson was a poor boy,
whose early life was full Of hardshIps.
He came from q poor Southern family
and at manhood began the practice Of
the law. His pursuits were various.
He was Il politician and served in both
houses OF Congress. lie WAS also a
merchant, Il judge. Il planter and Il
soldier.
Martin Van Buren's father was too
| poor to give him al education, and
| whatever lie was he owed to his ow II
cxcrtioms. He struggled along, as
many poor boy is doing to-day, and
eventually obtaincd fair educatioli
and was admitted, to the bar, where he
achieved high position.
uyKo's Henry. Haryiisnu's fhthex pfKRs
ter III comfortable circumstances. He
was Il signer Of the Declaration of In:
dependence. The son entered the army
, early and his accounta as Commissurv
may now be seen in the Treasury De
partmcnt, and are at once specimens
clerical skill. lie occupied several
trusts in civil life.
John Taylor was the son Of an emf
ncnt VirginiBn, who occupied many
high public Offices. Taylor himself
was admitted to the bar when but
nineteen years old. He was for many
years In the State Legislature and was
Speaker Of the Assembly. He was also
q member of Congress.
james x. Polk was the son of a
farmer in n.uderatc circumstances, and
was q clerk in a store. He subsc-
quentlv studied law and was a MEM
bcr Of the Tennessee Legislature for
five tcrma. He was fourteen years in
Congress, nnd. refusing a rc-election,
was chosen Governor OF his Stale.
Zachary Taylor was the sou Of poor
parents. His father was Col. Richard
Taylor, who won distinction in the
Revolution. lie emigrated to Ken
tucky soon after his sons birth. The
sons life. after leaving the plantation,
was spent in the army. He was on
duty in Louisiana when elected Prcsi-
dent, and he remained at his post un-
til he came to Washington TO be inau-
9urated.
Millard Fillmore was Of the hum
blest origin, and his early life was
spent in close poverty. He served an
apprenticeship Of five Years to the
fuller's hadc. He subsequently, cdu-
Gated himself and bccame.a lawyer.
Franklin Pierce was the son of Gen.
Benjamin Pierce, Revolutionary
officer. He taught school and studied
law. but as n lawyer he was not dis
tingnished. Hc was in both houses Of
Congacss, and when he entered thai
body was the youngest member of the
Senate. lie wasa Il brigadicr-gcncrali in
the Mexican War.
james Buchanan was the son Of an