Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-02-21

after year under many favorable condi-
tons, and who now says to his intimate
friends: at Is delusive thing, q will
o'-the-wisp. / am done with the Presi-
dental ambition forever"
Still, hope springs eternal in the hu-
man heart, and while every one knows
that history repeats itself, no one can
tell how soon IL may indulge In new de-
partures. Hence Senators Hill, Gornan,
Palmer, Mcpherson, Carlisle, Stanford,
Cullom, Allison, Villas and the others
need not despair. One Of them may be
happy yet.
Mr.. Blaine's letter declaring that he
will not be a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination has revived the old ira
dition concerning the i'll luck that hangs
over the Office Of Secretary OF State.
Considered in the light OF the history OF
the last half century, IL is not post
which brings the Presidency as re-
| ward Six Secretaries OF State-Jef-
ferson, Madison, Monroe, j. .. Adams,
Van Buren, and Buchanan have become
Presidents, but only one OF these, Buch-
anan, was elected within the last half
century. II is somewhat remarkable
that in fifty years not one man who had
ever sat In presidential ministry has
! been promoted TO the head OF the table
In this country.
Some people make an exception OF
| General Grant, who was for short
time acting Secretary OF War, but that
was a mere incident OF his military serv-
| ice and is not worth considering. Many
members OF the cabinet-Seward, Chase,
Cameron, Bristow, Gresham, Lincoln,
Sherman, Window, Bsyard and others
have aspired TO the presidency, but In
vain.
There being some talk of the nomina-
ton OF Robert Lincoln for President, 10
is astonishing how many public men
there are who believe Lincoln will some
day succeed TO the Office in which his
father won imperishable renown. 1t Is,
on the contrary, recalled by the super
stitions that not since the days OF John
Quincy Adams has foreign minister OF
the United States been elected Presi-
dent, with the single exception OF Blu
chanan.
Seven Vice Presidents have reached
the higher oflice-John Adams, Jeffer-
son and Van Buren,, who were elected
TO IL, and Tyler, Fillmore, johnson and
Arthur, who succeeded the four Presi-
| dents who died In office.
1t is somewhat remarkable that
among all the prominent candidates
now being talked Of for the PresIdcn'
tial nominations OF the two parties this
| year only three-President Harrison,
Senator Palmer aud General Alger-
have had military experience. or
the twenty-three Presidents OF tho
| republic twelve had military
training and rank. Washing
ton was commander OF the armies, Mon
roe captain, jackson and William
Henry Harrison major generals, Taylor
general Of the army, Pierce a brigadier-
general. Lincoln 4 captain, Grant gen.
eral OF the army, Hayes brigadier
general. Garfield a msjor-general, Ar
thur and Harrison brigadier generals.
In these days, when president making
Is occupying so much Of the attention
OF the people, and the records aud mer-
its OF various candidates are under con-
sideration, IL Is interesting TO recall that
| OF our twenty-three presidents sixteen
were members OF the legislature, seven
teen were in Congress and ten had been
Governors OF States.
To those who are looking for coinci-
dences and parallels In the matter OF age
the following facts will be Interesting:
President Harrison Is 80; Mr.. Cleveland,
! So; Senator Hill, ~; Senator German,
50; Senator Palmer, "a; Senator ALI
sou, G3 Senator Cullom, 90; Senator
Carlisle, 80. The youngest president
was Grant, who was ~ when inaugu-
rated. Cleveland was AZ; Garfield and
Pierce, 40; Polk and Fillmore, so; Ar
thur aud Tyler, 81; Lincoln. 50; Hayes,
"a; Van Buren, and Benjamin Harrison,
55; Washington and johnson, 81;
jefferson, Madison and j. q.
Adams, IS; Monroe, so; John
Adams and Jackson, GO; Taylor,
65; buchanan, Go, and William Henry
Harrison, IS. The average age OF the
presidents at inauguration was nearly
So years. Mr.. Cleveland will be 81
years old March IL next, and the sup
erstitious might on this coincidence se-
lect him for winner II he had not al
ready been once inaugurated at IS.
In the presidential gossip OF the day
at the national capital, the failure OF the
speakership OF the House as road 20
the White House has often been com
mented on since the appearance OF Mr..
Blaine's letter. Only one man who had
presided over the House OF Representa-
tives has reached the chief magistracy.
and that was James X. Polk. Two OF
Americas most brilliant sons are always
mentioned in connection with this super
sition.
Henry Clay and James G.. Blaine were
in their prime, dashlng, magnetic men;
both were sent 10 the legislature while
young, and they became .he speakers OF
their respective houses. They were
elected to Congress, and each became
speaker OF the house. Both served In
the senate, and also in the Cabinet as
Secretary OF State. Both were Hnsuc-
cessful candidates for President, Clay
being twice defeated. Blaine was de-
feated once, but twice lost the nomina-
ton when he could have been elected.
and has twice declined II. The fatalists
say that neither Clay nor Blaine was
born 10 be President.
WALTER WELLMAs.
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