The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04
THE FUTURE OF PRESIDENT HAIR
KISON.

What will President Harrison do when
he retircs three months hence from the
White Housef 1t is reported he will re-
sumo tho practice of the law, but we
doubt it,
Washington was 65 when he retired to
private life. "A large landed proprietor he
was glad to go back TO the management of
his estates. John Adams was in his 66th
year when he left the White House amid
the execrations Of both parties, and he spent
the remaining twenty-five years of his
life in comparative obscurity and neglect.
Jefferson was Sc when his second term
ended in 1909. His remaining days
were spent in his library and in
fancy farming. He had certain
talent for literary work. but he was an
extravagant farmer. and although he in
herited a good property and married
rich wife he spent so freely and managed
so poorly that he died insolvent. Madi-
son was 66 when ne completed his second
term, in 1917. He left his retirement but
once, when in 1929 he was member of the
convention that revised the constitution
of Virginia. Monroe was 81 when his
second term expired, in 1925, too old to do
anything for dignifed support and SO poor
that he was obliged. before his death in
1881, to accept the shelter Of his son-in.
laws house in New York city. John Quincy
Adams was 81 years of age when in 1929
he was succeeded by Jackson, but in 1882
he took his seat in the lower house as an
independent. where he remained until his
death, February %, 1S47. Jackson was
about 10 years of age when his second term
ended. Van Buren, was 50 when he left
the White House. He was defeated for re-
nomination in 1914 by the South because
he was hostile to the annexation of Texas,
and in 1s4S he was the Free Soil candidate
for president, John Tyler was but IS
when he was succeeded by Polk. He did
not emerge from private life until Febru-
airy, 1851, when he was president of the
famous peace convention at Washington
City, and he died in January, 1862, men,
Der Of the Confederate congress. Polk was
but 81 years of age when he witnessed
the Inauguration of his successor and sur
vived his retirement little more than
three months. Fillmore was but So when
he retired to private life, from which he
did not emerge, save in 1856, when he was
the candidate of the Knownothing or
American party for president. Pierce
was So when he was succeeded by Buch-
anan in 1857; he made tour of Europe,
spoke for the Confederate cause during
the civil war and died in contempt in Oc-
toher, 1859. Buchanan was about 20 when
he retired to private life. Andrew John
son was IN his Goth year when he was
succeeded by Grant. He remained
an active politician and was elected to
the United States senate in January, 1875.
but died the 30th Of the following July.
Grant was but IS when he retired from the
presidency. In 1880 he was beaten for re-
nomination to third term. Hayes was
in his 59th year when he was succeeded by
Garfield in ISL Prison labor reform and
kindred philanthropic causes seem to
satisfy his ambition and he has made no
attempt to re-enter public life. President
Arthur was In his 55th year when he re-
tired from the White House. Had he re-
tanned his health he would doubtless have
sought further distinction in public life.
for which he was admirably fitted and to
which he was greatly attached. Cleve-
land on his retirement from the presi-
dency in 1885 embarked in the practice of
law in New York city. but his profess
sional labor mas been rather more NOM
inal than real we suspect; he has given
more attention 10 politics and other "deep
sea fishery" than he has to the law.
1t will be seen from this review of the
lives OF our sx-presidents that none of
them sought Or enjoyed political honors
after their retirement save John Quincy
Adams, Martin Van Buren,. Andrew John.
son, Gen. Grant and Grover Cleveland.
What will Harrison do? Will he play the
part of Tyler Fillmore. Pierce ana HAYES.
and take his ease, or will he seek to return
to politics Ike the younger Adams.
Van Buren,, Johnson. Grant and Cleve.
landP In our judgment Harrison will not
stay in politics, not because he is not am
bilious, but because there is no opportu-
nifty now in Indiana nor likely to be for
several years, through which Mr.. Harri-
son can hope 20 re-enter political hfe. He
is not too old. bat he has no chance omen
10 enter congress from Indiana, and as a
presidential candidate he has no hope of
resurre ction. Van Buren, was a power in
New York state IN ls44 and lSis, but Presi-
dent Harrison's political career is ended
for life; he cannot afford TO stoop to q
small opportunity, and there is not the
slightes: PROMISE of large political oppor-
tunity for Mr.. Harrison in the future.
Harrison is not of tho Andrew Johnson
or Grover Cleveland type of ambitious.
aggressive, prgnacious Democratic poiti-
clan. He is al ADLER man than either
Johnson or cleveland. hut he is OF less
coarse fiber. He will probably not give
many years 30 the active practice Of his
profession; he is more likely to initiate
President Hayes. apd retire TO his books
and the enjoyment OF the society Of his
neighbors and friends. At 90 years of age
President Harrison is in his intellectual
prime for the practice of his profession,
and yet he has ably and honorably earned
his right 10 leisure and retirement,
from the cares and vexations of
political and professional life 1t
wouli seem wisdom 10 spend the rest OF