The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-13
American Political History


Our Presidents, and How We Make
Them" by Col a. X. Mcclure, is a COM
prehensive, though compact, history of
American politics as they have affected
Presidential elections from the time of
Washington to the present day. Each
canvass is taken up in turn, and the plat
forms of the various candidates are quot
ed. together with statistics showing the
popular and electoral votes in the various
States. the number of votes cast for each
prominent candidate in convention, and
other important data. In addition to this
there is brief sketch of the contest and
a biography of the successful and the de-
feated candidate, aid in some cases per-
sonal "reminiscences cleaned from the au-
thor's long and varied experience are
given in addition.
The style of the book is clear. practical,
and condensed. From a literary point of
view such expressions as ''enthused'' and
opposing opposition parties are some
what detrimental to the general effect, but
the reader will get an immense amount
of information crowded into very small
space, and that, in work like this, is the
most important point.
Colonel Mcclure is peculiarly well quail
fed to chronicle the making Of Presidents.
For more than fifty years he has been fa-
miliar with political movements in this
country, and since 1860 has played an i'm
portant part in many National Conven-
tons In the Republican Convention of
1860 he and Curtin were influential in
leading the Pennsylvania detection from
Cameron to Lincoln. and this brought hin
into Intimate relations with the Preside Mt
during the war. Since that time, both in
journalism and politics, he has been dis
tinct force, and his present work is fuil
of little touches of personal knowledge OF
various candidates, which adds much to its
interest and fascination.
No attempt is made to trace the history
of various political parties beyond their
connection with Presidential e.ect'ons.
This is not a constitutional history CT The
United States: ii is simply record of the
making of Executives.
The earlier chapters of the book are the
least interesting, being evidently en-. lied
from old records. There is, however, q
skillfully drawn comparison between the
administration of John Quincy Adams and
that of Andrew Jackson, and Colonel Nc
Ciure makes the unqualified stateme MT
that the former was the model government
of the Republic. He says of Adams:
He was the most accomplished scholar who
ever filled the position, and surpassed all Others
in general and accurate intelligence. He was
tireless student Until the day of his DEATH and
he had no taste and fitness for political manip-
ulaton. He removed but two men from Office
during his four years in the Presidency. and they
were dismissed for very good cause. and in the
discharge of his c.ical duties he looked solely
10 what he conceived to be the interests OF the
nation.
IL, l.
sonaily; was regarded austere and unapproach-
able, but he was always courteous, and the arts
OF the demagogue had no place in the Executive
Mansion. lie was the real author OF the Monroe
Doctrine. and earnestly attempted to accomplish
what Blaine struggled TO accomplish three-quart-
ers OF century iater-that is. the unity OF the
South American Governments in sympathy with
our Government. His Cabinet not in poll
tical harmony, hui, as he regarded politics as
entirely outside Of Cabinet duties he never took
note Of political dsaereements. He aimed to
win a reelection solely by deserving the CON
siderate approval OF the American people. After
his defeat he returned to his home in Massachus-
etts, but was soon elected to Congress, where he
continued until his death in 1sIs.
As an illustration oil the careful methods Of his
life my own experience in obtaining his auto
graph serves a good purpose. A few weeks before
his death, when i was the editor of village
newspaper and ambitious TO have the autographs
OF tie celebrated men of the country. wrote
him asking for autograph letter. ] received
no reply, and after his death was announced |
assumed that the letter had gone into the waste
paper basket; but three months after his death
received letter franked by Louise Catharine
Adams (widows O. Presidents were then accorded
the ranking privilege and the envelope con-
tanned only the autograph of John Quincy Adams
clipped from a public document tina, he had
RANKED. The pressure of duties had prevented
him from answering my letter, but the fact that
1t answered by his wife so long after his death
is evidence that many letters had accumulated,
all OF which were answered by Mrs. Adams. He
ftly died IN the Capital of the Nation. He was
stricken with paralysis during a session Of the
House, and died the following day. having
written, as believe, the most lustrous political
record Of any OF our Statesmen, with the single
exception Of Abraham Lincoln.
Colonel McClure's ideas of several of the |
public men-of whom the book relates are |
slightly different from those generally ac-
cepted. OF Buchanan he says:
lie was thoroughly honest and patriotic pub |
lie servant, but widely misunderstood.
With the chapter dealing with the Lin |
coln- Brechinridge-Dougl contest 1
the most interesting part of the work be- |
gins. In the convention which nominated
Lincoln, as has already been stated, the
author was an active participant, and his
sketch OF the proceedings on that occasion
brevity with force in a truly |
mastery way. He says:
Never was movement so ably led as was the
Seward movement at Chicago. II literally 4 |
battle of giants. Thurlow Weed, the master OF |
masters in politics, led the fight for Seward. and
be had around him Governor Morgan, chairman Of |
the National Committee; Raymond, Of the |
Times" and many Others Of distinguished abil-
lily in such struggles. Weed invited Lane 10 drive |
with him, and, in the course 0. their couyersa- |
ton, assured him that if his delegation would !
support Seward all the money necessary 10 carry |
his election in Indiana would be generously fur
nishedi but Lane knew that amount OF money |
could give him victory in October with Seward !
n the national candidate.
The convention met Wednesday, Nav l6 and \
George Ashman, OF Massachusetts,, was made per- |
manent president. The first day was devoted TO |
routine duties. and the second the adoption Of
: platform and rules 10 govern the convention. |
The convention adjourned on Thursday evening |
profoundly impressed with the great battle that |
was TO be fought the following day, and both !
lides exhausted political strategy 10 gain the ad |
vantage. Weed organized a most imposing street |
parade of the Seward people. They had thous-
lnds Of Seward spectators outside Of the delegates
and ii was one Of the most impressive public dis
playa ] have witnessed. They paraded the
streets for an hour OF more before the meeting Of
lie convention.
The friends of Lincoln had been ;ireless IN
their Efforts and they displayed wonderful ability
In handling their forces. Tine leaders =. imfned-
late charge Of the Lincoln people were Colonel !
Nedill, Of the ''Chioago Tribune" David Davis,
lfteraard Judge Of the Supreme Court; Norman
3. Judd chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee, and Leonard SWEET, who was almost
,opy o! Lincoln physically and who was Lncolns
closest friend until the day of his death. When
hey found that the Seward parade was 10 come
"a, they courseled how to meet it, and they
,naly decided that while the Seward men were
oafadng they would fill the immense temporary
for the convention and capable
II holding five thousand spectaiors-with men who
would go there solely for the purpose Of hurrahing
or Lincoln. They carried this plan into very
uccessful operation. and when the Seward pro-
'ession attempted 10 march into the convention
,all they found 1t filed to OVERLOOKING. and very
ew Seward men outside the delegation could OBJ