Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-05

Buffalo enjoys the distinction of beng
the only city in the country that has
furnished two presidents. They are Fill
more and Cleveland.
Each of the important wars of tic Uni
ted ST. - has given one or more preSl-
dents 40 the country. The war OF the
Revolution gave Washington, tie war OF
1872 Jackson and Harrison. Taylor and
Pierce went to the White House on the
strength # their records during the Mex
lean war, while every president chosen
since the Civil War except Cleveland TOOK
part in that struggle.
Washington and Grant were the great
est soldiers, though Jackson ana Harrl-
son We're distinguished generals MOI
roe was a soldier of the Revolution ana
was engaged in several important DattleS
including Trenton, Brandywine, German
town and Monmouth. At trenton II
was wounded in the shoulder: Iyler put
in a months service as the hea1 Oh =
company of militia during the war oil
1872 hut his men were not called into ac-
ton. Lincoln's military career covered
two months service IN me war asd IDS
the Indian chief Black Hawk, in lS32.
| first as captain OF militia ana aIterWdru
as a private. :, ~
During the early part Of the Civil War
Arthur was acting quartermaster gen
| oral for the state of New York, after
ward inspector general and then quarter
In the early history of the. United
States il was the rule to give the preSi-
dents second term. Later 1t became
| the exception OF the first seven presi-
dents Washington, Jefferson Madison
| Monroe and Jackson served two terms
Since Jackson's time only three, Lincoln
Grant and Cleveland have been elected a
second time. OF these, Grant was the
| only one to serve two consecutive terms
| four years intermission. In the light OF
history. therefore, it will be seen that
| the chances are decidedly against pres
| idents occupying the white house fol
oil h.
| force of this appear in view of the fact
that Of those who tasted presidential
| honors for one full term or portion OF
a term. nearly all aspired to re-elec'
| Quincy Adams. Van Buren,. Tyler. Fill
more, Pierce, Arthur and Benjamin Har
| rison.
| Polk. Buchanan and Hayes are tn,
| only holders of the office who We're con
| tent to sink out of sight without a strug
| gle at the conclusion of their terms o
OF the eight presidents already men
| toned who desired a second term, Johl
| Adams. John Quincy Adams, Van BureI
and benjamin Harrison were thei
| party'S candidate for reelection. lyle
| became the candidate of a party faction
but afterward withdrew his name; whil'
| Fillmore was renominated by the Amer
| lean party four years after his term o
| office had expired, but carried only on,
| state.
In the early days the vice presidenc!
and the secretaryship of state appear t
| have been stcpping-StoneS to the preSl
| dency. John Adams vice president will
| Washington, succeeded him as president
| Thomas jefferson vice president with Ad
ans and secretary of state under Wash
ington, succeeded Adams; Van Burel
secretary of state under Jackson and al
| terward vice president succeeded him
Madison secretary of state under Jefter
son, became the next president, and Mon
roe, one of Madison's secretaries Of state
followed him, while Monroe was succeed
| ed by his secretary Of state, John Qulnc.
| Adams; Buchanan. secretary of state un
der Polk, afterward became president.
| Since Van Buren, no vice president IA
| been chosen to the presidency, ana so ia
from the vice presidency being regIrdet
as in line of promotion to the presidency
| the less important office is now looke'
upon by some politicians as 4 ConVenlen
shelf upon which to place an inconVen
lent candidate for higher hOnors.
| 1t would not be difficult to conVinc
| Americans that their presidents. taken a
| a body are the ablest rulers Of whom an,
| Many of them have been strong pdrti
| sans hut it may be said Of them WithOu
| exception that their conduct Of the presi
| Dental office has been for the best inter
| eStS of their country, as they saw tn
| light All Of them doubtless have mad
| their mis- axes We're almost invariably or
rOrS of Judgment. and not errors fOundc
| upon Sclf-Will. biGOtry. Intolerance, van
ity ana arrogance. Whatever the short
| cominGs Of the republican form Of GOV
eminent in the United States. ii has ncV
er been comparable to that under hercI
itary rulers. which jefferson. in a lette
to Madison. once described az a govern
| mcnt Of wolves over sheep, or kites UNc
| pigeons. New York sun.