The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-29
W. H. HARRISON WAS THE
OLDEST, GRANT YOUNGEST
Difference in Ages of Chief Magis-
trates of the Nation at the Time
of Their Election.
rom the New York Worlr

From the New York World.
Washington, D. c., Saturday-The
Oldest man who was ever elected Pres
sdent was William Henry Harrison, of
Ohio. Although q great soldier and
the son of a singer of the Declaration.
he called himself a farmer. When he
was boy of sixteen, student at
Hampden- Sidney College, in Virginia,
which was his native state, Washington
was made first President of the coun-
try which his devotion had done so
much to establish.
1t was not until fifty-two years after
that memorable event that Harrison
was able to reach a like official emil
hence. Seven Presidents after Wash
ington interviewed. and four of them
jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jack
Eon-served two terms. In 1885 Harri-
son was nominated as the candidate
OF the Wings. He was defeated, but
Tour years later was elected to the
Presidency. He died one month after
MS Inauguration. 1t was Harrison's
military fame which made him Presi-
dent.
Next in the order of seniority was
James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. He
was sixty-siX before he succeeded in
landing the coveted prize. He lived
10 see the successful end of the war
which he bequeathed, to his successor,
Abraham Lincoln. Buchanan was an
eminent lawyer.
Zachary Taylor was sixty-five when
ne became the tenant of the White
House. His father was a Virginia
planter. When the boy was very
young, the family removed to Ken
lucky, where Zachary was taught what
ever was to be learned on a large plan
tauoh. He did not go to college, but
Nneh ne was twenty-four bade fare
well TO plantation life and Joined the
army. In few years Taylor became
Celeorated as an Indian fighter. All
through the War of 1912, he fought
tne British Indian allies. In the Mexi-
can War, Taylor was most efficient,
winning the affectionate sobriquet Of
OId Rough and Ready" He was
niurrahed into the White House, but
honor.
Two Famous Adamses.
OF John Adams, 'the elder Adams"
second President of the United States
:. mas been said that to have been the
idtner or his distinguished son would
nave peen sufficient to secure fame for
4linsef. 1t has been declared also of
John Quincy Adams, the younger Ad-
ans sixth President that to have
Deen the son of so distinguished a sire
would have been enough to perpetu-
dte MS own memory.
Inc elder Adams reached the presi-
Vency at the age of So, as likewise did
andrew Jackson. 1t is convenient to
contrast the latter with the younger
ADAMS, for they were contemporaries,
poiltical rivals and born the same year.
Adams was a Northerner, a native Of
ehe old Bay State. Jackson was a
SSoutnerner, claiming South Carolina as
ms birthplace, though historians in
slsl mat he came from the North
9late Adams was of aristocratic Eng
lish lineage; Jackson was of humble
9eotch-Irish parentage.
Wnlle Andrew was helping his wild
SvWea mother till a little farm in the
Y, aXhaw settlement, John Quincy was
ny Iathers companion on his special
mission to France and the lad was de-
"sntlng the French court with his pre-
SCocity. A few years later, while An
qrew was learning the sadlers trade,
INN was charming pundits at Har-
SS,I,iu with his wit and attachments.
Wltn no preparation Andrew began the
cuuy or the law In country lawyers
1lIlce. John, a graduate of Harvard,
u7came law student in the office Of
we great Theophilus Parsons. Jackson
migrated to Tennessee and hung out
us shingle in the wilderness. Adams
uegah at once an official and diplomatic
Ssreer that progressed steadily upward.
ne war of 1912 was also Jackson's
Vpportunity. He began as the captain
OF troop OF raw militia and ended
as the hero of New Orleans.
ADAMS had not been backward In
me race. He had developed into the
Ioremost diplomat Of thee age. He was
prooablr the best known American OF
we Gay. In 1924 both men were nomi-
nated for the Presidency. Clay and
rawtord were also candidates. and
ne vote was so divided that the choice
rs left to the House. Adams was
ynosen, but at the following election
Jackson was successful by the largest
popular vote of many years.
Madison and Monroe.
Besides the younger Adams. two 9TH
er men were IS when they
We're elected President-James Madison
ahd James Monroe. Madison was OF
english and Monroe of Scotch origin
10th were Virginians. and both were
,ne sons OF well-to-do planters. Both
also were college bred. Madison stud
yea law, drifted into politics and soon
made national reputation. lie was
'lected To the first House Of Ropresen-
.stYes, defeating James Monroe ne
vas elected chief magistrate IN leVs