The Washington herald., 1908-02-09
nv RUDOLPH DE zApP-

mats. business men ana ldDOrlng men,
capitalists and kings, at this time is
who will be the next President of the
United States?"
There are number Of candidates on
both sides. and. among many other things.
Americans have good cause d be proud
of the fact that this country has never
experienced a dearth OF the best possible
Presidential timber II is, however, alb
sOlutely impossible TO foTeteH With any
degree of certainty whether the men Sc
iected will prove themselves equal TO the
task, because the future does not tell
what it holds in store for the solution of
the occupant of the White House. The
President of the United States has great
powers, and whatever he may say or 90,
or omit to say or do, is always fraught
with a result directly affecting the vel
fare Of this country
But our forefathers had the same opin-
ions with regard TO their Presidential
candidates. and it may. therefore, at this
time be not wholly without interest to
know what sort of men these candidates
were and how their selection was brought
about
Washington was chosen President, as
one might say, by acclamation, He was
the only candidate thought of, and If It
had not been known that he would be
the first President the Constitution would
never have been drawn up or adopted. In
spite Of the unanimity of the choice, he
met with the most factious opposition as
President and suffered as much as any
President from the bitterness Of partisan
rancor. He was reelected, however,
unanimously, and might have had a
third term had he chosen 70 accept it.
John Adams was selected as the candi-
date of the Federalists in 1895 because he
was the logical candidate lie was
backed by the New England Federalists,
though he was opposed by the partisans
of Hamilton, who did not like him. Ham-
iltoE had left the Cabinet, but he was full
of ambitions. and he knew that Adams
WAS not the man to further them. The
contest was likely TO be so close, how
ever. that Hamilton did not dare openly
oppose him, though secretly an attempt
was made to have Thomas Pinckney, the
Federalist candidate for Vice President,
given first place by juggling with the
legislatures. which then chose ali the
electors. The plot failed. but Adams WIS
only elected by the votes Of two electors
lone from Maryland and one from North
Cardinal who were supposed 20 be friends
Of jefferson. Jefferson was also the log
iCal candidate of the Republicans. He
was their leader and the life and soul of
opposition 20 the Federalists. Under the
Constitution he became Vice President,
which was then considered anything but
a political graveyard.
In 1880 Adams and jefferson We're again
the candidates. and this time jefferson
won. An attempt was made by the Ham
ilton wing of the Federalists TO elect
Charles G. Pinckney, candidate for Vice
President. to the first office. but the plot
failed. Unexpectedly. however. jefferson
and Burr had equal number Of votes.
and the House had To choose between
them. For regarding Burr unfit for the
place, Hamilton interfeTed. and Jefferson
was elected. As a result Of this Hamilton
was killed by Burr.
Madison had been Jeherson's Secretary
Of State for eight years, and succeeded
him almost without struggle, In those
days party candidates were chosen by a
caucus Of members Of Congress, but the
President had great power in nominating
his successor. It was customary also for
State legislatures to pass resolutions in
dorsing a candidate long before any eau
Gus action. At one time Monroe was
very anxious 10 succeed jefferson, and
felt aggrieved that Madison was pre-
ferred before him. While asroad as min
lister, Monroe's course had not been en-
tirely satisfactory to the administration,
and the rejection by jefferson Of a treaty
made with Great Britain without even
sending it 10 the Senate was taken by
Monroe as a personal grievance. Jefer-
son. however. succeeded In smoothing the
matter over. and there was no breach
among the Virginians. as was threatened.
Madison had been almost all his life in
public service, and succeeded naturally
to the Presidency. He was called the
Father of the Constitution" yet. when
Washington-the National Capital-was
captured by the British. his admlnistra-
ton went 30 pieces. It was only the abili-
ties of Monroe that saved the admmlstra-
ton from complete collapse in 1871 He
held the government together and was a
sort Of second father of his country in
small way. AS a result, he was easily
chosen President, because there was no
one to contest his claim. The Federalists,
who had been in open opposition to the
government went 10 pieces, and their
candidate, Rufus King. only polled thirty
four electoral votes.
In 1920 Monroe, who had made an ex-
cellent executive. was chosen for ii second
term unanimously except for the vote
of one elector who vowed that no man
should share such honor with Washington.
With Monroe. the choice of Revolution
airy fathers for the Presidency ceased.
The contest in 1924 was spirited and
one of the most remarkable in the his
tory Of American politics. Monroe had
positively refused TO use his influence
in behalf of any candidate. and it was
free for all John Quincy Adams con
sidered himself the logical candidate. In
point of service he outranked all his
rivals, and in point of ability he was
second to none. As Secretary Of State,
Adams had been "a great success. He
was practically the author Of the Monroe
doctrine and had worked hard TO get
into closer relations with the newly
erected South American republics. In
spite of his great abilities, he was not
considered a good all-round man. He
had none of the arts of popularity. lie
could not get into touch with people or
politicians, and yet he was honest and
patriotic to the core.
Henry Clay was also a candidate. He
ga n i'm, o1 af
tanning his majority He was the first
of breezy statesmen from the West who
came into great prominence Jackson had
been in public life before him for a short
time. but no one looked on him as
statesman Jackson was a good soldier
but Clay could not conceive Of him as
Presidential nnssihliitN Clay had haen