The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-02-28
MECHANICS OF OUR PRESIDENTS.

From the days of Washington the
American people have loved to make
free with the names of their chief mag
istrates, says the Louisville Herald
BY his admirers called the Father o.
his Country, he was by opponents
termed Stepfather OF his Country
The British soldier called him Lovely
Georgius, and in France he vas known
as the American Fabius, because Of
the caution and wisdom of his military
He was called by Lord
Byron the Cincinnatus of the West,
and by the Italian poet, Alferi,
named the Deliverer of America.
Other titles given this Incompatible
maj were the Atlas of America and
the Savior of his Country.
John Adams was given one name
only, but it was a mighty significant
a%ppellation. The Massachusetts
statesman was called the Colossus of
Independence. His son, John Quincy
Adams, o by his speeches in con-
gress, after his presidential term, the
title of Old Man Eloquent, 40 appella.
ton which, later on, the English loved
to give William f. Gladstone.
Thomas Jefferson was among other
names, called Long Tom, in allusion
to his height, and after his retirement
from Office, known as the Sage of
Monticello. Madison, for his part in
framing and securing the adoption of
the constitution, was called the Fac.
tor of the Constitution.
James Monroe, having stuck to the
revolutionary headgear long after
everybody else had given it up, was
rewarded by the appellation of the
Last Cooked Hat. Andrew Jackson
was called by his soldiers Old Hick.
Dry. The Indians of the southwest
named him Big Knife. The title,
Hero OF New Orleans, is popular &C.
acknowledgement of his famous victory.
Martin Van Buren, bore the several
names of Little Magician, Wizard of
Undertook and Follow in his Foot
steps. He vas also called Whisky
Van and King Martin l.
William Henry Harrison, a much
more lovable aud beloved mau than
Van Buren,, had a wealth of nick.
names. Tipppecanoe was given him
in allusion to his celebrated victory.
1t was shortened to Old Tip. Hard
Cider Harrison and Log Cabin Har-
rison, names first bestowed by oppon-
ents, we're accepted by General Harri.
sons friends, who also called him the
Washington Of the West. Tyler was
known as the Accidental President,
and Polk as Young Hickory. Millard
Fillmore bore a striking resemblance
to the last king of France, and was
called in consequence the Louis
Philippe Of America. Franklin
Pierce vas mispronounced Purse,
while James Buchanan was termed
Old Buck, Old Public Functionary
and Old Bachelor President.
President Lincoln, who came nearer
the popular heart than any OF his
predecessors, was known as Old Abe,
Honest Abe, Old Railsplitter and
Father Abraham. He is also called,
and very justly, the Savior Of His
Country.
johnson was nicknamed Sir Veto by
political opponents, but in Tennessee
was known as Old Andy. Grant,
from his initial, got several names,
the favorite being Unconditional Sur.
render. His soldiers called him Hero
Of Appomattax. President Garfield
vas in life known as the Preacher
President. Since his death he is
called the Martyr President. Chester
A. Arthur was known among his fami-
liars as Our Chef. Cleveland has
been called the Man of Destiny. Ben
iamin Harrison was known as the Son
of His Grandfather. Mckinley was
called Mckinley Bill. Roosevelt is
known to the masses as Teddy, the
Peoples Teddy, or the Peoples Presi-
dent. The nicknames given the presi-
dents of the United States indicate
for the most part respect rather than
aversion. No president has ever
borne Il purely contemptuous appella-
tion which had general use.