The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

we're not called into action. Lincoln's
military career covered two months ser
vice in the war against the Indian chief
Black Hawk. in 1892. first as captain Of
militia and afterward as a private.
In the early history Of the United states
II was the rule 10 give the Presidents
second term. Later II became the excep-
tiOn. OF the first seven Presidents Wash
ington jefferson. Madison. Monroe. and
jackson served two terms. Since Jackson's
time only three Lincoln. Grant. and Cleve-
land. have been elected a second time. OF
these. Grant was the only one to serve two
consecutive terms, Cleveland served two
terms but with four years intermission.
In the light OF history. therefore it will
be seen that the chances are decidedly
against a Presidents occupying the White
House for eight years. More especially
does the force OF this appear in view Of
the fact that Of those who tasted Presi-
Dental honors for one full term or a por-
tion of a term. nearly all aspired to a re-
election. This is true Of John Adams.
John Quincy Adams. Van Buren,. Tyler
Fillmore. Pierce. Arthur. and Benjamin
Harrison.
Polk. Buchanan and Hayes are the only
holders Of the office who were content to
sink out Of sight without a struggle at the
conclusion of their terms OF office.
or the eight Presidents already men
toned who desired second term John
Adams, John Quincy Adams. Van Buren,.
and Benjamin Harrison were their party 3
candidates for recollection. Tyler became
the candidate of a party faction but aft
crward withdrew his name. while Fillmore
was rcn0minatod by the American party
four years after his term OF Office had ex-
PRED. but carried only one State.
In the early days. the Vice Presidency
and the secfetatysnip Of State app ar %
have been stepping stones 70 the Prcsi-
dcncy. John Adams. Vice President with
Washington. succeeded him a. PRECEDENT.
Thomas Jefferson. Vice President with
adams and Secretary OF State under wash
ingiuu. succeeded Adams. Van Buren,. See
Rotary Of State under Jackson and after
ward Vice President succeeded him Mad
igOn. Secretary Of State urder Jenerson.
berame the next President and Monroe.
Dne n Madison p Secretaries Of Stale. fol-
lows1 him while Monroe Wa succeeded
by his SECRETARY Of state Joan Quincy
Adams Buchanan. Secretary 81 State M
der Polk afferuard became President
Since Van Buren,. no Vice Presifent fss
been chosen o. the Presidency. ard 0
far from the wire Presidency being re-
Rarfed AZ 10 line of promotion 10 ire
Presidency the lees important Office is nov
looked upon By some politicians as ~~--
venien, shelf upon which 20 place an in
convenient cspdidate for higher houors.
II would rot Be difficult 70 convince
Americans that their Presidents. taken as
a body, are the ablest rulers OF whom sny
nation. ancient or modern. can boast.
Many Of them have been strong partisans,
but it may be said Of them without excep-
tion that their conduct Of the Presidential
Office has been for the best interests Of
their country. as they saw the light. All
Of them doubtless have made mistakes. for
they have been human; but their mistakes
we're almost invariably errors Of JUG
ment and not errors founded upon self
will. Whatever the shortcomings Of the
republican form of government in the
United States it has never been compare
bic to that under hereditary rulers. which
Jefferson. in a letter to Madison. once de-
scribed as a government Of wolves over
sheep or kites over pigeons. New York
Sun.