The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-08-11
OUR EARLY PRESIDENTS.
EAehangs.

Exchange.
 Jefferson lived in Monticello in he meridian of his intellectual manhood, as a citizen of Virginia, and his mountain home was as accessible as the laborers cottage. His predecessors in the great office he filled dwclt like him in modes; komes-Adans in New England village and Washington at Mount Vernon, not more pretentious save as 10 grounds, than are the homes of mechanics to-day. Madison's home was the fines, of all the presidents, and he died so poor that his widow, to get means 10 pay her board in Washington, sold her public papers to congress. He did not leave her wealth sufficient to keep his homestead m the possession of his family ten years after i his death. Monroe, the author of the doctrine that is to-day the guide and monitor of the nation in its dealings with other nations, lived for his country and died homeless. Long before his death he sold his country home in Virginia and became an inmate of his daughters house in New York. where he died. Jack son. like Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, owned farm. and although he left no children. the state of Tennessee bought the Hermitage 10 save it from the auctioneers hammer. and sAel,ers there to-day the last descendant of his wife who, If she were not so protected, would be dependent on public charity. In Brooklyn at the present lime IS Sep,imia. he seventh ard youngest srandehiid oi Thomas Jefferson. an aged lacy who, through Congressman Robinson, ap- pealed in vain 10 the l1st congress for a pension to keep her from suffering for the comforts of life.
 The descendants of .he men who pioneered through IS dark days Of war ard aided |: with their splendid mental energies and patriotism are for the mos, part poor, and aliens to the historic homes of their foreia,hers. while many of them are wanderers on the face of the elrth. There Is scarcely historic family in this country living on its ancestral acres and perpetuat.ng the hospi,able fame of its dis;ing guished ancestry Noun, Vernon is owned by the women of the country, and the people of Virginia. who have m iheIr yeins the blood of Washington. are. for the most part. very poor. Montpelier has been sold several tunes within tae past twenty-five years. and Is nov owned by Richmond merchant. who will live there in the summer. The Hermitage, IS has been said. belongs 10 the state of Tennessee, and the .ate ot Monticello all the world knows.
 The presidents sue eedins Jackson were men of like mind Tn thelr appreciation of the greatness of their office. and the de scendants of the majority of them are to. day richer III blood than n incomes. So also. are the families ot men like Clay Calhoun. Benton. Randolph and Webster. The example of patriotism set by the founders of the goveinmen, has been po- tent and powerful, and !, has been honor enough to be a grandson CT a daughter. l niece or a son of | president.
 The descendants of these frs; of our rulers are TO, numerous now. In Nm- ginia are few of the Washington family of the Lawrence Washington branch. and of the Ma6.isons there are none. Monroe has one or two nieees and q nephew lIv- ias. and Jackson has not a ll,!ng ,!e- scendant. The Adams family IS the bes, represented of the SIN. Jefferson has a number of descendants. ard Mrs Meikle- ham Is his nearest iiyn. relation. She IS the youngest daughter of his els!es, daughter. Martha. and has been sup ported for many years hy her daus her, :, who was an employe in one of the de- par,men,s in Washington. jefferson had no sons. and his only other child. Marie Eppe>. died during his SC ond term. His daughter. Martha. was noble Virginia ma,ron. and etferson's last days were made wre,o he'd by the thought ,ha, he should have to leave her poor. The home was sod and the fund that was so gem erously proposed to De raised for her was never secured.