The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-18

Former. Nations Presidents
Have All Passed Away.
~
CAREERS OF MANY OTHERS.
Most Of Them Chose 10 Live In SscIuslsn
kfisr LsavIng Office Causes
ef Their Deaths.


On January /. 1862 there were living
five ex-presidents of tho United States
Van Buren,. Tyler, Fillmore, Pierce and
buchanan. Now the death OF benjamin
Harrison leaves only one ex-president-
Grover Cleveland General Harrison
spent just eight years IS an cx-president.
When John quincy Adams retired from
the presidency after serving as senator,
minister TO England. and secretary OF
state. IL was suggested that he become
member OF the House of Representa-
tiyes. lie replied that to be chosen a
selectman by the vote of the people would
be an honor. and for l6 years. until the
time OF his death, he represented his dis
harness on his back. for his fatal Illness
attacked him as he arose In the house 10
address the speaker.
Andrew Johnson was elected a senator
from Tennessee some time after the end
OF his presidential term. but he lived 10
serve only "a few days of the special ses-
sion OF the senate.
Most of the presidents have retired To
lives OF comparative idleness George
Washington led the life OF a country gem
tlemsn on his estate at Mount Vernon.
He gave a certain amount Of time to the
reorganization Of the army when war
with France threatened, but he contented
himself with the management OF his
plantation and the simple amusements
OF "A country life.
Martin Van buren retired to his coun-
Try seat In Columbia county, New York,
and became almost hermit There have
been several instances like this The
most recent was Chester A. Arthur, who.
IKE Van Buren, was disappointed at his
failure To achieve reelection and Sc
cluded himself from all but his intlmate
friends
Buchanan was a recluse for seven years
after his return to private lifc He had
been much abused toward the close 90
MS term, and he sought the quiet of
absolute retirement as soon as he return
ed to his home I'm Lancaster, Pa.
Pierce lived Is years aa ex-president
Ills home was In New Hampshire, but he
was Southern sympathizer during the
war, and so much OUT OF sympathy with
his neighbors that he spent many OF his
later years in travel abroad.
ADAMS LIFE or sEcLusToN.
John Auanls was the tirSt hermit cN-
president He was IS years an ex-presi-
dent but he was so disappointed at his
defeat for reelection that he secluded
himself for a quarter Of a century, com
pliing historic records, and he came out |
OF his hole only once, when in 1870 he |
acted as delegate to state convention. |
The fact that he retired did not mean /
that he did not taken an active interest /
in public AFFAIRS.
but eeuld not present himself to the peo- |
pie OF his party, because he was opposed |
10 the annexation of Texas From his Sc /
clusion he wrote letters which resulted |
In his nomination for president in 1s4S |
on Free Soil ticket, but he received no |
electoral votes
rutherford v. Hayes took no active
part In public affairs after his retire
ment, but he had been so severely criti-
cised that II would have taken more than
a lifetime TO vindicste his record and |
make him again a presidential possibility. |
John Tyler was one of the active ex-
presidents. Like Washington he pursued
the life of country gentleman: but he |
afterward became very much Interested /
In the doctrine of secession and took an
active part in all the events which led
up 10 the civil war.
Fillmore lived q years after his re,ir..
II
himself by the American party. but was
not elected. lie travelled n great deal
abroad and took great interest in public
affairs.
Thomas Jefferson devoted himself IN
educational interests and founded the
University OF Virginia after his retire
nent from the presidency He personally
the erection of the uniyer-
'ity buildings.
Monroe had his own ideas on the sub |
ect OF tho occupation of ex-presidents
lie held that IAN ex-president should not |
be party leader" He was a local mag
strate for time, and was a delegate to
constitutional convention. He. lived
MY seven years after his term ended.
GRANT AS A TRAVELLER.
General Grant was the greatest traveller
n the list OF ex-presidents. His trim
round the globe has been described in | ;
wo large volumes and II is a matter OF
amiliar history. General Grant did not
axe any part In business or public nf-
airs, but he was the silent partner I'm the 7
rm OF Grant a Ward and his later DAYS
fere embittered by his experiences I'm ,
Nal street ,
Everyone knows that his famous book
Tas written while he was on his deathbed ,
p provide living for his family after :
is death
Grover Cleveland since the close OF his
econd term has delivered some lectures
I Princeton and furnished some
photographed contributions to peri !
ideals, but this has been a matter
I courtesy and not OF business.
General Harrison was the first ex-presi-
ent To die OF pneumonia, although
gorge Washington was killed by a cold.
nd so was Harrison's grandfather VIII .
am Henry Harrison. Washington's cold II
nveloped into laryngitis. and the other C
arrisons into pleurisy. a
Jonn Adams died OF scnile debility. lie =
spred st quincy. Mass. Thomas Jeffer- n
ms death occurred a few hours before b
lat or Adams. and, singuarIy enough. , I
9TH died on the Fourth OF July. n
James Madison. nj s5. died OF old age | 4,
dams had lived TO be 81 Monroe died OF G
neral debility. though he was only n | n
he second Adams was stricken with pa n
lysis IN the hall OF the House (now :,
Il -.