The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-24

tsrily, but his health was bad after he
left the White House. and he was not
able, personally, to take part in public
matters. From his home. the "Hermit-
age," however, ne took the keenest in
terest in sll current affairs.
| OF all the cx-Presidents OF the United
Ststes John Quincy Adams, the son OF
John Adams, was by far the most active.
BE was sixty-two when be retired in
public sfiairs rs ne ever had been; and in
less than two years he was sent to the
lower House OF Congress. where no re-
msined until lis death from paralysis in
lS4s. lie was cncs nominated to the
Senate, and once to the Governorship OF
Massachusetts, on an anti Masonic ticket,
but was defeated for both offices. lie was
one of the strongest Abolitionists of his
times, and his public addresses on slavery
and on other topics were as vigorous till
near his death as those OF any of his
younger coutem poraries. In fact he was
sin hot water" because Of his tongue
and his Independence of al party lines
during his entire Congressional career.
Andrew Johnson. who became Presi-
dent after the asssssi nation of Lincoln, is
not often thought of nowadays as an
active man after his Presidential term,
and there was much more cause for him
to become q recluse than for any of the
five who actually did seclude themselves,
since he had narrowly escaped impeach-
ment at the hands Of his own party. But
he had no sooner re turned to tennessee
upon the expiration of his term as Pres
idept than he made an effort TO 60 to the
United States Senate. Defeated the first
time, he tried again and won, taking
his seat at the extra session of 1875.
lie was not destined to serve his time,
however. for shortly after the close OF
the session he was carried off by paralysis.
Although Martin Van Buren, did not
left the Presidency in lS4l, yet the twenty
one years that remained TO bim before
death in 1862 we're exceedingly busy ones
in which he succeeded in keeping his
name almost constantly before the public.
Times were hard-almost as hard as they
are now-whsn he went out, and this
worked against him, of course; but after
a brief rest: at his country seat, elm
denwald," in Colum bia county, N. y, he
made o tour Of the South, visiting Clay
and other eminent men. In 1si3 he pinned
for nomination to the Presidency, but he
was so bitterly opposed to the annexation
of Texas, then the most vital question be
fore the people of the United States, that
he could not win, hut he supported Polk
actively. In 1S4s he came out strong for
the wilmot proviso, and in 1siS he was
actually nominated for President on the
Free Soil Ticket. lie got no electoral
votes, however, and after that he was lit
tie more than an onlooker in politics. He
went abroad in s1652, voted for buchanan
ia 1855 and was against Lincoln in 1860,
but supported his Administration during
the civil war. lie was active in his law
prsctice till very near his death.
John Tyler was extremely active In a
public way during the last years of bis
life as ex-President, as was Van Buren,.
lie stepped Gown and out at the age of
fity-dve, in 1s45, retiring at once to bis
home, "Sherwood Forest" near Green
way, Va. There he lived life Of leisure
until the beginning OF the civil war.
Then, sithcug he was originally against
secession, he came out strong for the
South. Before this he had recommended
a convention Of delegates from the border
states of.-New Jersey, Pennsyivanis,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Delaware,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, and
hnd served as commi ssioner to President
Buchanan from Virgins. lie talked
strongly in favor OF peace convention at
the gathering he mad proposed, but IL
came 10 nothing. His statement Uf the
case was: secession IL inad visabIe, but
coercion is impossible" lie was later
mads n mem Der, first OF the provisional
and then the permanent Confederate Con-
gress. He died before ne bad an oppor-
tunity to 90 much Of real value for the
South.
Milliard Fillmore, who lived twenty
one years after his retirement from the
White House, in 1853, did not do much
OF note in politics while an sx-Presi-
dent, but never lost bis active interest
In public affairs and for q long time was
hsbituslly spoken of a the foremost
citizen of Buffalo. He was AIMED by the
American party to succeed himself, but
was not elected, and then Travelled abroad
for q time.
During the early days Of the civil war
he was exceedingly patriotic. Three
time, he went abroad. and once was
offered by oxford University (Englsud).
but declined, the degree OF ID. Z. l.. he
took oeep and quiet interest in public
matters Till the day OF his death and
travelled atout the earth q good bit.
James X. Polk died in isi5, eight years