The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-11
Trains Goinn West.
Ex.PREslpENT ROOSEVELT.

Theodore Roosevelt is the sole liv.
ing ex-president of the United states
In view of the rather short tenure of
service which pertains to this high OF
flee, it is something of a commentary
upon the stress and strain of great re-
sponsibility-that only one of the long
line of American chief executives has
survived to this good hour.
For several years Mr.. Cleveland en-
joyed the distinction which now be-
longs to Mr.. Roosevelt.
During the interval which elapsed
between Mr.. Cleveland's death on June
rs, 1908, and. Mr.. Roosevelt's retirement
from office on March 4, 1sO9-there
was not an American ex-president to
be found in the ranks of the living.
While due in part to the wearing eff
feet Of the nations most important
Office ii is also due in part to the well
advanced age of the average president
at the time of Inauguration. Mr.. Cleve-
land, like Mr.. Roosevelt, was an ex-
ception to this rule.
Unhappily still another cause which
has removed some of the presidents in
the prime of life is assassination.
Mr.. Lincoln was Sc when he received
his death summons at the hands of
John Wilkes Booth in Ford's theatre.
Mr.. Garfield was only so when he fell
MORALLY wounded in the Pennsylvania
depot at the seat of government, while
in the act of taking the train. Mr.. Nc
Kinley was So when his useful career
was checked in the most tragic manner
by an assassin's bullet, while visiting
the Buffalo exposition.
But the return of Mr.. Roosevelt from
his famous African hunt not only at
tracts attention to the somewhat iso-
lated position which he occupies, but it
also revives an old question: ''Wha;
shall we do with our ex.presidents ?"
Mr.. Roosevelt has disclaimed any
desire for the present at least of re-
entering politics. He has also formal
ly assumed his editorial duties.
Moreover, he is still in his prime. In
tellectually and physically he is youth
full. And the prestige with which he
has returned to the United States after
having been honored by kings and en-
perors in the European courts and after
having been decorated with degrees at
the great universities of the old world
renders 1t morally certain that he is
not to be eliminated from politics
Washington set the example of dig
nified retirement when he withdrew
to the tranquil shades Of Mount Yer
non. But the locks of the first presi-
dent were white when he relinquished
the official reins. Nor did he aitogeth-
er divorce himself from public AFFAIR."
for when hostilities with France be-
came imminent in 1908 he agreed once
more to take command.
Most of the presidents down to the
time Of Mr.. Cleveland have preferred
the seclnsion of private life. The list
Includes Jefferson, Adams, Madison.
Monroe, Jackson. Van Buren,, Pierce,
Buchanan and others. They proceed
cd upon the idea. no doubt. that it best
cornported with the dignity which still
attached to one who had been the ma
tons chief executive-but sense Of
w1ariness and desire for rest after
the feverisn turmoil were also, we may
b sure, additional incentives.
still there have been exceptions.
sokn quincy Adams re-entered the ma
aa9nal house Of representatives to night