Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1891-08-07
STATESMEN WHO FAILED TO
WIN THE PRESIDENCY.

but two men of prominence who
have unsuccessfully aspired to the
Presidency. They are James G.,
Blaine and John Sherman. The
list OF their predecessors il
thwarted ambition for the office is
long one, and includes the
names OF more eminent men than
have filed this high position in
the same period.
John Quincy Adams had done
much to give him reputation be-
fore he reached the Presidency,
not TO speak of his services to
human freedom later. VIII II Gen
eral Garfield was made President,
also, the nation choose q man who,
in reputation for craftsmanship,
stood in the front rank, though
his career thereafter vas a disap-
poi tment.
1t must be remembered that the
ablest men in public life invaria-
by aspire TO the office. Notwith-
at tuding, since it has been demon
sIrated that an inferior class OF
men generally obtain it, and thus
that its possession is not in effect
q further cet tihcate of greatness
to those OF the highest eminence
the ambition OF the latter does
not seem lessened. 1t was Of no
use to tell Daniel Webster and
Henry Clay that tie possession Of
the Presidency would add no
cubit to their stature as states
men. Mr.. Clay died an unhappy
man because of his failure /; Web
ster was almost literally stricken
dead by lis disappointment.
Horace Greedy was, if anything,
more suddenly and fatally pros
trated from the same course.
Stephen A. Douglas survived but
a short period the failure Of his
ambition for the office.
The list of these great names is
q pathetic one. 1t began with
William II. Crawford, OF Georgia,
who felt himself to be the natural
successor of James Monroe, and
who probably would have been
had not General jackson entered
the political field. Henry Clay
and John G. Calhoun next appear
in it. Clay defed Jackson IN bis
effort TO reach the office, incurred
Jackson's undying enmity and
opposition, and when Jackson was
dead found that his own oppor-
tunity was over. Calhoun, too,
fell victim to Jackson, though in
Jackson's party. from which he
was driven by that iron ruler.
Thomas II. Benton and Silas
Wright owe their failure to the
superior political skin of Marin
Van Buren,. Wright died soon
after. Benton lived to be out Of
harmony with his party
Or the public men OF promi-
nence of that genetation. after
Van Buren,, but one man ever
realized his desire to be President
He was James Buchanan-and
it would have been better for his
fame had he never held the office.
OF the others, Cass, after obtain
ing the nomination, was treacher-
ously defeated in his own party.
Douglas found, in the end, that
ambition to have o'erleaped itself,
to his own Political ruin. General
Scott suffered the most Notifying
political defeat on record.
William NJ Seward lest large
part Of his interest in the anti
slavery cause after his failure Of Il
nomination in 1860. Salmon p.
Chase failed to satisfy his ambi
ton after a great strug lie. --latest
have come Conkling and Blaine
and Sherman. The history OF
their aspiration is too fresh in
mind to be recounted.
The list we have reviewed is a
remarkable one. No one will
question that the names il it far
transcend in statesmanlinc emin-
ence and distinction those who