The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-12
gathering where their presence was
THE PRESIDENCY.

| plUDdDly lIt DGSl ludliuSb PNiEOii III tiA'
 nation at the time to discharge presiden
 tial duties and obligations. Fresh from
 the school of Washington and Adams
 and their compatriot, skilled in diplo
 macy, familiar with national duties and
 national surroundings, having drafted
 at the age of thirty-three, an indictmen
 of grievances against Great Britain. ant
 a Declaration of Independence free from
 British interference in our national af-
 fairs, and having been instrumental in
 launching the republic on sea of ex- pertinent he was naturally trusted
 leader to guide the nation and shape its
 policy in the line of it's baptismal birth
 right.
 He took the oath of office without
 mental reservation, in full confidence of
 it's meaning, and gave to the country an
 administration that lives in the hearts
 of the people, with it's domain of na-
 tional territory doubled in extent
 through his sagacity and far-reaching
 foresight.
 As president, Jefferson was simple in 1 his tastes and desires. Instead of a
 coach in livery with six dappled grey
 prancing steeds to draw him to the in-
 augural stand of political power, he
 rode on horseback from Monticello in
 simple plain clothing, without servant or political attendant hitched his horse | by it's bridle to the fence, and walked to the stand where the oath was to be administered, in the severest formality for distinguished public officer at the head of the nation; took the oath of of flee and carried out republican sim plicity during all his official life. He abolished or failed to observe much of superficial etiquette prevailing at the White House at his entrance. He be- lieved that public office was public trust conferred by the people for the people; was easily approached by the people, without distinction of rank or favor of position. In the last years of his life he wrote:
 If it be possible to be constantly conscious of any thing, I am conscious of feeling no difference between writing to the highest and lowest being on earth"
 Red tape environments, or exclusions from complaints or requests did not close his ear to reasonable demands or suggestions from any source. Dignified in appearance, affable in manner, charming conversationalist, he endeared himself to all as true type of republi- can manhood, both in private life and in official station.
 Reelected his own successor, his watchful eye never slumbered, or his ear closed against suggestions from any source on lines for future development of strength and glory of the republic.
 His presidential career marked great epoch in our national history. Washington had gone to his tomb, and Adams, the second president, was the link or bridge carrying over national ideas from Washington to Jefferson Jefferson took charge of the trust and safely housed it for the nations securi ty. During the last term of his presi- dential .office he was called to assert the majesty of the nations repository of po- ltical power, in discharge of official du- ties growing out of complications with England relating to our commerce upon the seas; and also to reasonable in- ron Burr, then vice president of the na- tion. The first being disposed of, the second loomed up in embarrassing pro- portions.
 The searching eye of Jefferson discov- ering the plot, Burr fled, was afterward arrested and held for trial before the courts for conspiracy and treason against the government. Though the evidence failed to convict him of such reasonable designs as to justify the penalty of conviction under the indict- ment, yet the arrest and trial, squelched out the stages of treason, conspirators | dispersed and peace and quiet reigned | all along our borders.
 Possibly in the Burr trial, then as now, money and political influence had weight in court balances, and the scales went down in favor of the prisoner and he was discharged. Whatever the in- 1uence surrounding the case, the arrest md trial were salutory
 LINCOLN
 came to the presidency in 1861, at the ige of fifty-two years, amid lowering clouds and lightning flashes of a polti- ,al storm, threatening the dissolution of he Union and dire calamities to the lation
 With confidence in the people, and firm trust in an overruling Providence, le took the oath of office without men al reservation, and entered upon it's luties, guided the storm, rescued the allen, preserved the government and nity of the republic, with the crown of ,eace resting upon the citadel of the lation; country basking in the sun ight of prosperity, with national robes washed clean from the stains of slavery, nd three millions of human beings at, me dash of his pen emancipated and set rec forever. Though overwhelmed by pressing ares of a nation that would have jus flied him In keeping doors closed gainst all but his immediate advisers, till he found time to listen to com aints and suggestions from the people, ut his head and heart never lost bal nee by the interview. Though kind nd sympathetic in the grand make up f his nature, he had great object to chieve, and he moved on to it's accom- lishment with the courage and majes- | y of his convictions. No administration ever had darker ! at the outset, greater diffi- ! ulties to overcome to sustain the gov rnment and preserve it's unity; none yer performed it's duties with wiser | lresipht none ever left the seat of pa