Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-05

While there IS but one ex-president stiIl
alive. in this country Ia remarkable fac,
and demonstrating the wear and tear OF
omcial posIt0n) there are three widows
who occupied the white house. and one
other. Mrs. Harrison. who married ex-
President Harrison after his term OF Of
fee expired.
Mrs. Grant Mrs. Garfield, Mrs. cleve
land and Mrs. Mckinley survived the
strain OF political. life and are living in
comfort and luxury. with a pension 10 the
widows OF $500 per annum. and with ele-
CANT homes and fortunes beside for each
OF them
generous 70 the wives OF deceased ex-
presidents. There Is a bill before congress
70 pension Mrs. Harrison. and as these
pensions are gratuities. there Is no reason
that / see why the gratuity shall not be
extended 70 Mrs. Harrison.
Mrs. Grant and her daughter. Mrs. Sar-
torfs. live In Washington city. Mrs. Gar
field in her Ohio home. and also Mrs. Nc
Kiniey. Mrs. Harrison lives in Indianap-
oils.
General Garfield and his wife were both
school teachers in early life. and Mrs.
Mckinley assisted her father In his bank
when a young lady.
Mrs Harrison was a niece Of the first
wife o. General Benjamin Harrison. and
his children were said 10 be violently OPP
posed 10 the stepmOther.
Mrs. Grant was in comfortable circum-
stances when she married a poor soldier.
and their early married life was one OF
strain and privation-
But the run OF good fortune became
marvellous In after years. No man. ex-
cept General Washington. ever had hon
ors poured upon him like those accorded
70 General Grant The close OF the civil
war made him almost omnipotent In the
affairs OF the nation.
IL speaks well for General Grant that he
did not abuse the confidence OF his admir-
ers By assuming the authority OF military
dictator He might have done so. and a
less honorable man would have grasped
the prize.
And history win write him down as a
great ruler as well as soldier. because he
did not abuse the adoring confidence of
his admirers. He was not a learned man.
or educated in the arts OF craftsmanship
when he was made president. and he had
around him a class OF men who were
ready to do MS win absolutely.
This country owes him debt OF graft
tude that he did as well as he did. and
kept his good sense under the frantic
strain OF abolition desire 10 put the ne
gro above the white man in the south.
He had a narrow and thOrny path to trav-
81 amid sectional prejudices and the pas
sions OF civil war; and Il Is remarkable
that he kept the negro TO his place as
vel as he did. and yet retained his sup
pert and admiration
Mrs. Grant was a loyal help-meet for
her husband. and she did enjoy her OPP
portumties. Some people criticised her
because she said she regretted TO leave
the white house. because they had been
eight happy years 10 her.
She simply spoke the truth. and 1 al
nrired her honesty and plain speaking.
There were some years afterward when
her life was not so free from care, be-
cause General Grant fell among thieves
and they swindled him Of his money and
betrayed his trust in supposed friendship,
and made his last days bitter with finan-
cial anxiety az well as suffering. His
vile was brave. as well as loyal, and now
her last days are comfortable In ease and
luxury.
Mrs McKinley's invalidism brought out
her husbands tender solicitude for her.
Everybody supposed the shock OF his
death would K. her. but she has done
remarkably well under the circumstances.
Mrs Hayes I knew more about and ad-
mired most OF all presidents wives, doubt
less for that reason. She was crown
Jewel among women.
Mrs. Cieveland's admirers speak In rap
turous zones OF her gracious tact and
wonderful magnetism and excellence. May
she live long. and may her dear children
be all TO her that a fond mothers heart
can wish