Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-24
EX-PRESIDENTS.
SOME HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE IN DIGNIFIED
re IREMENP
While Others Have Gone to Work in the Big AheS
John Quincy Adams Twenty Years Service
as Representative in CongreSs--Em-
barraNmsn! ofJefrSJl and Monroe.
Corrsnondsnes Of ne Cori.r,JouraGI


he proposed % do after he retired from
the White House in 1889, he looked at
his questiouer rather queerly for mo-
ment, as though the question surprised
him. and then said: DO? Why, I'm
going TO work again; I'm going TO prac-
tice law Just as i should have done II L
hadn't come here. think the most ap-
proDriate thing man can do after he
has retired from public Office is 10 take
up his private business again, unless,
OF course, he is too old.
Notwithstanding this opinion, MIR.
Cleveland was, with one exception, the
only ex-President who resumed, after
his retirement, his professional work.
II has been reported that President
Harrison expects, when he leaves the
White House, TO return TO Indianapolis
and resume the practice OF law, and
moreover, 70 become an Instructor In
law In the great university uPon the
Pacific coast
There has been a feeling that he who
has held the Office of President should,
upon retirement, enjoy dignited leis-
ure, aud await, like one whose career
is ended, the coming Of the summons.
1t is probable that this feeling was due
10 the course adopted by President
Washington. He was urged 70 be a
candidate for q third time. but declined,
as be had fourteen years before refused
the crown. Ills public reason for not
accepting a third term was that be be-
Heved 10 best % limit the Presidential
term, IL not 0y constitutional provision,
at least by custom which would have
the force Of law.
John Adams was an old man when he
retired from the Presidency, and yet he
lived Quarter OF century after he re-
tired to private life, and long enough
20 sea bis son a successor OF his la the
Presidential Office. Mr.. Adams, on the
morning that Mr.. Jefferson was inau-
gurated left the Capital aud returned TO
his home Ia Quincy Mass, where he
lived, not as Washington had, the life
OF county gentleman taking keen
enjoyment in the simple pleasures Of
the farm, but, surrounded by his books,
his papers, ne passed twenty-five years
mainly In his library. Mr.. Adams died
very peacefully on the fitieth ami
versary OF the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence; by singular confidence
Thomas Jefferson, who was associated
with him in the drafting of that instru-
ment, died on the same day.
When Mr.. jefferson had finished his
Presidential term be went TO his estate
at Monticello. He was burdened by
financial embarrassment, although his
anxiety was not generally known for
some years later. lie kept open house,
and sometimes he had as many as fifty
guests, the entertainment OF whom cost
him heavily when he was already Won
dering how be would be able to meet his
Obligations He supervised, or pretend
ID to do so, his farm, but found each
wear that he was running behind, and
at last 10 despair was compelled 10
make an appeal TO Congress TO buy his
library. This was done, Jefferson re-
ceiving SOS 600, but this sum only tlded
him over for brief time.
During his retirement he edited his
"Ana, and carried on very great cor
respondeuce with the leading men OF
his party and took until the day Of his
death a keen interest in public affairs.
Mr.. Madison, when he retired from
the Presidency, went to his Virginia
estate, living perhaps the most secluded
life of any Of those who, having gone
from the Presidency, returned TO pri-
vate life. His successor, Mr.. Monroe,
had something the experience OF Mr..
jefferson. Monroe had been President
during q time Of prosperity, when the
peaceful condition Of the country and
the lack of friction between the parties
had been so great that his AdminiStra-
tiOn has been called ''that Of the era OF
good feeling" Nevertheless, he was
financially embarrassed. and he found
it imperative 90 do something to pro-
vide for his support, Instead of re-
turning 20 Virginia he weut 20 New
York City, being perhaps the first OF
those who had gained distinction in the
practice Of law who had sought New
York City as a larger field for their
abilities. Mr.. Monroe, however, was
not very successful, and be died few
years after his retirement from the
Presidency, and, by another straage
coincidence, upon the Fourth Of July.
Perhaps the most remarkable career
was that of John Quincy Adams after
his term as President had expired. He
was then q man nearly sixty years OF
age, and il was expected that he, fol-
lowing the example of his father, would
return 90 his home ia Quincy, Mass,
and yield himself 20 a pursuit 10 which
he fond great enjoyment-the study OF
letters and history. And no doubt that
was Mr.. Adams intention. But his con-
stituents would not permit IL. They ask
ed him If he would consent TO serve them
as member Of Congress, and be re-
piled that he knew no more honorable
post. He began . new career when he
became q member Of the House, and
one which would have given him fame,
even II be had not already served in
what arc regarded as more exalted
Offices. He was the leader, a pugna-
cious, untiring and vigilant leader OF
his party, and his fight for the right Of
petition was one OF the greatest ever
waged In the House. Mr.. Adams died
at his post. He was observed by some
Of those sitting near him 10 have been
overcome. The House Immediately ad-
journed, and he was tenderly carried 20
the Supreme Courtroom, where he pass
edaway, after twenty years service as
Representative in Congress.
Gen Jackson went from Washington
directly to his estate, called the Her
mitage, near Nashville, where, al
though in retirement, he still, by his
command Of influence, directed to
ronsiderahla pVtpnf the COurse OF his