The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-02
ENTRANCE TO OBLIVION.
John j. Ingalls, Points Out the AIlur-
ments of the Vice Presidency.

New York correspondent st. Louis Re-
public.
The twerty-four Vice Presidents of the
United States have been representative
men of good political standing, high char
acter and superior intellectual endow-
ments. Three-Adams, jefferson and Van
Buren--were subsequently elected Prssi-
dent, the last in 1887. Four-Ty.er, FIJI
more, johnson and Arthur--succeeded 10
the Presidency by the deaths of Harrison
and Taylor and the assassinations of Lin
coin and Garfield. Each of these sought re-
nomination. failed, and passed the rest of
his days in obscurity. Six-Clinton, Gerry,
King. Wilson, Hendricks and Hobart-d ed
in office. Two-Morton and Stevenson
survive.
Ii was supposed at first that the Vice
Presidency was the stepping stone TO the
Presidency, but for more than sixty years
1t has been the threshold to oblivion.
Han1lin was collector OF the port of Boston,
several terms in the Senate and minister
to Spain. Colfax went on the platform
with a lecture on Lincoln, which he de-
livered more than thousand times Nor
ton afterward was Governor Of New York
and Stevenson returned to the practice of
law
The man who has been Vice President
disappears from national politics. He be-
comes ineligible. He is furtively pointed
out with compassion as one who has suf-
fered unmerfted misfortune. Ii cannot
Justly be said that any blame attaches
10 man because he is Vice President.
The most of them cannot help themselves.
The barren and empty honor is thrust
upon them.
To seek the Vice Presidency would be
distinctly Gerogatory1 To be publicly
known or suspected of being willing to
,,I1 lie
feeling deferred Daniel Webster from
taking second place on the ticket with
Taylor, by which he lest his only chance
FOR the Presidency. Many remember the
pressure brought to bear TO overcome the.
reluctance of Gen. Logan to accept the
nomination with Blaine.
It was formerly said by the Scrbes and
Pharis5es of our politics that the office
should seek the nan, not the man the
office. he Vice Presidency meets this
I condition. 1t Is like the game of blind
mans bluff, in which all struggle to es-
cape and no one can tel who will be
caught at last.
At this time the nominations for Presi-
dent have been made already. The con-
ventions will meet merely to ratify the
choice of the PEOPLE. But neither the
Democrats nor the Republicans have can
| didates for the Vice Presidency.
1t is solemn thought that within less
than six weeks two innocent men, un-
conscious now of the dismal destiny that
awaits tn m. Will lie reientlessly taken
from honorable pursuits in public lfe
or private life and converted into run
ming mates" for Bryan and Mckinley.
| IL is a mournful commentary on the vicis-
STUDIES of all earthly careers.
Tee Vice Presidency is the unsolved
"cryptogram" OF the constitution. Why
was this officer made the President of
/ the Senate rf which he is not a tnamhar ?
| Why is he permitted to vote in case of a
| tie only in the affirma tive, the question
being lost without his vote when the
| body is equally divided? What are his
| functions in receiving, opening and count
| ing the e ectoral votes? What are his
IDEAS in case the President suddenly be-
/ comes insane or helplessly paralyzed, and
thus rendered incapable of signing of a
commission, approving an act of Con-
| gress or performing any other executive
/ act?
Garfield was in effect dead from the in
| slant he was shot in the Pennsylvania
Railroad station, July 2, till he ceased to
| breathe at Elberon, Sept. 10, 1881. For
| more than two months the government
! had no head. There was a interregnunl
| but had Arthur entered the White House
| and attempted to discharge the duties un.
! doubtedly devolving on him by the con-
| stitution there might have been civil war
Mckinley and Bryan are men of i'm.
I mcnse and enduring physical power. Theil
| vitality has not been impaired by riot oil
| excess. Neither has applied hot and re-
bellious liquor to the blood. Both have
the stature and temperament that indi
cate and accompany longevity. But oul
history has forewarning that Presidents
are mortal, and that vice presidential sue.
cessions are always unfortunate
John Tyler destroyed the Wing party
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