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

were 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 private.
In the early history OF the United States
II was the rule TO give the Presidents a
second term. Later 1t became the excep-
ton. OF the first seven Presidents Wash
ington, jefferson, Madison. Monroe. and
Jackson served two terms. Since Jaekson's
time only three, Lincoln. Grant, and Cleve-
land. have been elected a second time OF
thsse 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-
ton of term, nearly all asFired 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 struggle at the
conclusion of their terms OF office.
toned who desired a second term John
Adams, John Quincy Adams. Van Buren,,
and Benjamin Harrison were their party 8
candidates for reelection. Tyler became
the candidate of a party faction but aft
erward withdrew his name: while Fillmore
was rcnominatcd 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 thu sscfetstyshIp Of State appear 20
have been stepping stones 70 the Presi-
dcncy. John Adams. Vice President with
Washington. succeeded him a. President:
Thomas Jefferson. Vire President with
Adams and Secretary OF State under Wash
inRlon, succeeded hdams; Van Buren,. See
Rotary OF State under Jackson. and after
ward Vice President. succeeded him. Mad
ison. Secretary Of State under Jefferson,
hcramc the next President. and Monroe.
one Of MaGisop's Secretaries Of State, fol-
lowed him. while Monroe vas succeeded
by his secretary Of state. John Quincy
Adams. Buchanan. Secretary Of State IN
der Polk aftervard became President.
Since Van Buren,. no Vice President fas
been chosen r. the Presidency. and o
far from the Vice Presidency being re-
Earfed "a 10 line Of promotion TO tie
Presidency the lesg important Office is now
looked upon by some politicians as a -
venien. shelf upon vi4ieh to place an In
convenient capdicate for higher houors.
II would not be difficult to 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 ii may be said Of them without excep-
tioL 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
were almost invariably errors OF judg-
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
BILE 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.