Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-01-26
PRESIDENTS MECHANICS.
How Some Of Them were Bestowed
Depended on His Popularity.

Depended on His Popularity.
Every president has had his nick
names their number and nature de-
pending on his popularity, or the con-
trary. Sometimes they were gwen by
friends, sometimes by his opponents.
sometimes by the people at large with
out regard to political affiliations.
Washington in his own time was called
the Father of His Country by those
who admired him, and the Steptather
of His Country by those who DID not.
In France he was styled the American
Fabius, because of bis caution in mill
tary movements. The term Clncln-
natus of the West. first used by Lord
Byron IN his ode to n apoleon, obtain
ed wide currency in America. The
British soldiers called him Lovely
Georgius Tue name Deliverer OF
America, almost as popular in this
country as Cincinnatus of the West,
was first used by Alfieri, the Italian
poet, in an Introduction to play which
be dedicated to Washington. The
Savior of HIS Country was an express
sion of frequent use In the press of the
day. and the name Atlas OF America is
said to have been bestowed upon him
by a speaker in congress.
So far as known, John Adams had
but one nickname, the Colossus of In
dependence. Thomas Jefferson had
two; among the rabble, be was called
Long Tom. allusion to his height.
Late in his life he was known as the
Sage of Monticello, his wisdom. grav-
ity and the name of his plantation be-
ing combined in this clever sobriquet-
M Madison was designated as the Father
of the Constitution, as be was the
mover in the Virginia legislature of
the action which subsequently RESULT
ed in the adoption of our natlOnOl Ma
gna Charta. Monroe rather enjoyed
the nickname given him by two peo.
pie, the Last Cooked Hat. an alluslon
to the fact that after it had been dis
carded by nearly every one else, he
still we're the headgear of the Revolu-
ton. John Quincy Adams was not
known as the Old Man Elsquent until
a fter his speech in congress had estab-
Iished claim to the title which was bor
rowed by classical student from an
,IInpiop in MILTON
Andrew Jacksons most common
nickname was Old Hickory. bestowed
on him bv the soldiers ne commanded.
Tough as hickory" he was, so the
men said; the name was at once pop
ular in the army. and thence Its use
spread among the people. The Indians
of the Southeast called him Big Knife, |
and the name Hero of New Orleans
came as natural sequel of his victory.
Martin Van Buren was nicknamed |
Little Magician, an allusion to the size |!
of bis person, and to the adrOitness of
his political methods. He was also
.slled the Wizard of Kinderhook, an
allusion to bis country home. The |
name Follower ir the Footsteps was
from his own writings. |
Whisky Van WAS name given him In
the South, and King Martin | was the
work of virulent political opponent.
William H. Harrison, like jackson,
was a man of the people, and had
wealth of nieknames Tippecanoo was
Given in memory of his famous VIC
tory. 1t was SOON shortened to Old
Tip, and the idea was expressed In
more dignlfied style in the name OF
Washington of the West. Hard Cider
Harrison and Log Cabin Harrison
were names bestowed at first in enmlty.
then adopted by his supporters ID the
canvass preceding his election. An
opposition paper said, iu sneer at bis
alleged incapacity. that If he were CIV
en- a thousand dollar pension, he would
be content to sit in cabin, smoke a
corucon pipe and drink hard cider all
the rest of his life. His friends caught
the idea, miniature log cabins were
! built placed on wagans and hauled
from one meeting place to another dur
ing the canvass, while haId cider, Of
fen literally strengthened by whisky.
1ecsme the campaign drink.
TvIer was at first called Young Hic
kory. afterwards Accidental President,
being the first vice president to sue
ceed to The presidential office by the
death of the president.
Polks only nickname was Young
| Hickory, be having been born, as Jack
son was in North Carolina, and living
Iiu Tennessee AS did Jackson.
Taylor was Old Rough and Ready.
Old Zach and Old Bnena Vista, al
these names being bestowed on him by
the soldiers under his command in tht
Mexican war. Fillmore was called the
Louis Philippe of America, from
strikipg resem blance be bore in fac
and figure to the most cOurtly French
king of the last century. Pierce wa
called Purse, a misprOnunciatlon of hi
= name: and Buchanan was famillarl
designated as Old 2. F., Old Publ
Functiouary, pame adapted from a.
u alIusion to himself in message t
. 3 congress. He was also tue Old Bache
}, lor President, and during the canvas
was Old Buck. Lincoln was Old ABB
Honest Old Abe, the Old Rallspl1tte
and Father Abraham. During the bi
a. ter canvass which preceded his ele
Il tion, many opprobrious sobriquets wei
= given him. and many more we're bes