The herald., 1896-07-04
CHARACTERISTICS or PRESIDENTS


of president during the LOG years that
have elapsed since Washington was In
augurated in 1889. OF the twenty-three
men who have been thus honored
Ulysses S. Grant was the youngest, nav
ing taken the oath of office at the age or
AZ. William Henry Harrison was oS
years old at the time OF his Inauguration
and was the Oldest of all the presidents.
Washington was 81 years old when IN
augurated. John Adams 81. Thomas Jef-
ferson and James Madison 6S. James
Monroe 50, John Quincy Adams 6S, An
drew jackson 81 and Martin Van Buren
S. Though thirty-six years elapsed pc
tween the time of the Inauguration Oh
Jefferson and Van Buren,. they were con-
temporary In public life, and 1t may be
said that all the presidents previous to
Van Buren,. except John Quincy Adams,
had participated in the revolutionary
war, either in the field or forum. and
were active in the councils OF the time.
Jackson was very young when IN lico
he enlisted in the patriot army. having
been born in Union county. North caro-
lima, in 1851 But he had the spirit OF the
patriots Of the time and performed nota-
BILE service. John Quincy Adams was
born the same year, but in a different at
mosphere and environment, ana was
neither as hardy nor as daring as jack
son in early life.
In educational requirements and men
tai endowments the presidents OF the
United States, taken collectively, revai
a high standard. In fact, measured by
the contemporary rulers of the world,
whether the power was hereditary or
by election, the result is greatly In their
favor. Washington was not a collegiate
graduate, but was literally educated,
and John Adams, Jefferson, Madison
and Monroe had academic educations.
John Quincy Adams was the first presi-
dent who had obtained thorough class
ical education, AND in this respect ne
would rank with the university gradu.
ates of the highest class today. But all
his predecessors in Office were gifted
with that marvellous quality of common
sense that in the early history or the
government, made homespun men al
most classical. Jackson was without
the advantage of instruction even in the
rudimentary branches, yet IN pertec-
ton of diction and force OF expression
some of his state papers are modeis Oh
excellence and beauty. Martin Van Bu-
rem was a college man and ripe scholar,
as were also John Tyler and James n:
Polk. But William Henry Harrison and
Zachary Taylor enjoyed no educational
adyanta ges to speak of, and won what
fame they achieved in military life. Har-
rison died within month after ms lhau-
guration and Taylor only served year
in the office, so that it is impossible to
estimate them as civil officials. Tyler
was a lawyer of ability and Polk at
tanned some distinction In congress,
though he was not ranked as among the
great men of his day and generation.
Willard Fillmore was Sklllful poltlclaH
and a man of affairs, and FRANKLIN
Pierce enjoyed a local celebrity as a ia"
yer. But it may be said justly that, our
ing the period from the close OF JACK
sons term to the beginning of Buchan-
ans. the standard of mentality had in
measure degenerated.
James Buchanan. the fifteentn pres
ident, was probably the most accom-
plished with respect to scholarly attalu
ments and varied experience IN pupilc
affairs after John Quincy Adams. ne
had graduated from Dickinson college,
served in both houses of congress WIN
distinction, as minister to the court OF
ST. James and as secretary OF state. he
fell upon unfortunate lines as president,
however, and retired from office under
circumstances which conspired TO I'M
pair his reputation for courage and pa
triotism. But, after all, the verdict of
history will be less condemnatory than
was the Judgment of his own genera
ton. He was succeeded by probably
the greatest president of them all, Apra-
ham Lincoln, who was an educated man
without the advantage of schools,
statesman without the training OF ex-
perience, and a philosopher even be-
fore he had reached the age of philoso-
piers But he was a man of vast ma
tive talent and his patriotism and hu-
manity were so marked that he may
be said to have acquired knowledge by
intuition. His successor in office, IN
drew Johnson, couldn't read or write
when he was married. but acquired a
fair education and developed consid-
cradle ability subsequently. At least
there was a force in his mature life that
accomplished results and made an i'm
preston Grant was educated at West
Point, and, as might have been expect
ed, was more a soldier than statesman.
His successor, Rutherford 3. Hayes.
was a man of negative character but re-
spectacle talents. Successful as law
yer and soldier, his administration was
likewise creditable. but in no wise dis
tinguished. OF Garfield the public had
little opportunity to judge in the office
of president. But he was man of broad
mind, liberal education and superior
mental equipment though less polish
ed courtier than his successor Chester
A. Arthur, who more nearly approached
the standard of John Quincy Adams
and James Buchanan than either of the
others. OF Grover Cleveland, little can
be said that is not known. Without the
advantage of college training and with
comparatively little experience in pub
lie life previous to his first Inaugural
ton, he nevertheless has by common
consent been assigned to a place among
the most distinguished of the presidents
Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third
president, will occupy an honorable
place in history. Learned and polished
his administration will be estimated by
posterity as one that contributed fair
share to the honor and glory of the
country.
AS William Mckinley has been esti-
mated by the public, he will neither be
among the greatest or the least of the
presidents. His ten years service in
congress were uneventful except during
the sessions of the Fifty-first congress,
when, as chairman of the committee on
ways and means, he became the puta-
tive author of tariff law, the value of
which Is estimated variously according
to the opinions of people upon economic
questions. But, even that distinction
came to him more by courtesy than on
account OF merit. He was the only man
who contested with Mr.. Reed for the
speakership, and, though that gently
man preferred Dingley of Maine and de-
clared him the filter ann for the place
he respected the custom which had ex-
listed for years of consoling his disap-
pointed competitor by comforting upor
him the neSt honor. Mckinley has not
been notably successful as a lawyer
and proved a failure as q business man.
He is an amiable gentleman, a good citi-
zen and a well-meaning public servant
AS governor of the state of Ohio he intro
duced no striking measures of public in
terest or advantage, though his admin
iStra ton through two terms of office was