The Globe-republican., 1896-09-10
MRS. JOHN TYLER.


riot. The Eagle hotel in Richmond had
just then been burned down and on its
site the leading men of the city built,
with their own hands, an immense
cabin of rough, undressed pine logs.
One day a democrat asked a whig:
"Why don't you skin your poles?"
Never mind,' was the quick reply.
well do the skinning at the polls in
November"
Again, an enthusiastic crowd came
down from Culpeper, bringing with
them the band of the old Culpeper
Minute Men, a goodly amount of coo1s
and coonskins and, as matter OF
course, a log cabin mounted on wheels.
On the streets of Richmond they We're
joined by an excited crowd, and all
hands adjourned to the nearest tavern,
where they proceeded to drink the
health of 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too"
Presently a diversion was created by
the arrest of a pickpocket, who was in
dustriously making the most of the
opportunity. He was speedily marched
off to Jail. followed by an enthusiastic
crowd, bands playing, flags waving end
the log cabin trundling on behind.
When they reached the Jail the prison
er, fired by the prevailing enthusiasm,
asked for a moments respite, and,
mounting horse block, made a rat
Ting whig speech, to the delight Of his
hearers, who went of cheering him
loudly, their admiration of his senti-
ments overcoming their disapprOval OF
his actions.
When the decisive day arrived Har-
rison, and Tyler, too were elected
by 234 of the 294 electoral votes cast.
One month after his Inauguration
William Henry Harrison died, and Ty-
Ter. under the constitution, became
president of the United States. THIS,
step by step. John Tyler rose to the
highest position in the gift of his coun-
try.
Among the conspicuous acts Of his
administration were the annexation OF
Texas, the veto of the bill to rechar-
ter the United States bank, the sue
cessful negotiation by Caleb Cushing
of the first treaty with China and the
settlement of the northeast boundary
with England In the latter settlement
Daniel Webster was secretary of state.
One of Mr.. Tyler's strong opinions was
.'the United States should always be on
the alert with regard to England. She
will never forgive us the revolutionary
war"
Mr.. Tyler carried to the white house
the simplicity of his home life and
was as quiet and unassuming when
president as when a Virginia planter.
In appearance he was striking, six feet
in height, with face which attracted
instant attention. His head was fine,
with calm and lofty brow, blue eyes OF
a peculiar brilliancy. firm set mouth
and aquiline nose. SO large as to be
the subject of many jest.
On his twenty-third birthday Tyler
had married Miss Letitia Christian Of
New Kent county, Virginia. In June.
1912, a year after his entrance to the
white house, she died, leaving seven
children, four daughters and three sons.
After Mrs. Tyler's death her second
daughter. Mrs. Semple, presided as lady
of the white house.
OF the twenty-five presidents only
six have been Episcopalians. Tyler be-
ing one Of them. During his admins
tration st. Johns church in Washing
ton was finished. In those days pews
were owned in the same manner that
real estate is now and were disposed Of
by will. Mr.. Tyler bought one Of the
first pews that was sold in st. Johns,
but never laid claim to it after leaving
the white house. 1t was at later times
occupied by Buchanan and Arthur, and
IL stin called the president's pew. It
was In this pew that Alice TFler. the
presideat's youngest daughter. whea .
child met the nan whom sAe sftesvara-
ua.sisl.