The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-28
GET TING ACQUAINTED WITH OUR PRESIDENTS
By

@ DON after Washngton's retirement
from tho presidency In l7aG lie
wrote from Mount Vernon to a
friend as follows
II rlse with the sun and make the
necessary prepare lions for the day. by
the time | have accomplished these
matters breakfast Is ready. This be-
Ing over, i mount my horse and ride
around my farms. which employs me
until 1t Is time to dress for dinner at
which 1 rarely miss to see strange
faces come, as they say. out OF respect
TO M. And how different IS this from
having few friends nj tn. social
boardl The usual time OF sitting at
table, walk and tea bring mc within
tho dawn OF candlellght previous to
which, IL not prevented by company, /
rcsolve that as soon az tho ,,l.mmcring
taper supplies tho place OF tho great
luIninary i Will retire to my writing
table and acknowledge the letters
haTe received. Having given you this
history &of a day, 1t viii scrve fo-
year"
1t served for three years with but
single interruption. The year before
his death ths prospect OF war with
Frame led TO his appointment as COM
mander-in-chief of tho national army.
distinction which he accepted with
great reluctance. Fortunately the war
Scara subsidized speedily. and our FIRST
president was left undisturbed in his
beautiful retreat at Mount Vernon.
When, on March :, 1901. John Adams
get out for his farm at quincy. Mass.
too disSusted with politics and too in
oignant over the treatment he had re-
ceived TO appear az the inauguration
OF his successor. hE declared no would
never again show his facc at the ma.
tonal capital. During en- un.nterrupt-
Cd public service OF twenty-six yeas,
in which he was Instrumental Ia laying
the foundations OF q government des-
Lined to be tho greatest in tho history
Of nations, he had received more blame
than praise. ane thu only privilege he
carried with him In his retirement was
that OF frank!ns his correspondence,
Hendins and receiving letters free from
postage for the remainder of his life,
Party spirit was running high in
those days, and It pursued him even to
his retreat. The persistent attacks OF
HIS political enemies embt,cred his
days. and severe domestic 4nliction
mndo his lot still less tolerab.e His
eldest son, who had married and was
living in New York, died suddenly
leaving wife and two small children
as an additional burden to the .atnar
stra!tenod household at Quincy. The
eN-President was sixty-six yearg OF age
and without tho ambition TO resume
H'S toHS pFpl -SSlDN. Ale
found tho sudden transition from his
lifo Of perpetual excitement and intel
lectual activity exceedingly hard 10
bear at hrst Hs avoiccd all public
gatherings and took no part in poIi.i-
c.l matters. devoting his time TO the
cultivation of his farm.
In 1919 his only daughter, who had
married unhappily. died after a long
and distressing illness. Five years
later the noble woman who had shared
with him for more than half = century
the Joys and sorrows OF ii most ev.n,-
full career passed out OF his NE at
this time lie was eighty-two years Of
age. broken In health and infrm In
body, but mentally sound as ever. with
his advancing years his disposition
underwent remarkable change. Ills
cyricism and grunrcss Of manner dis
appeared. and he became wond arru!ly
companionable and optimistic The
upward career OF his talented son,
John Quincy. was a source OF the most
Intense qualification to him, ana WHEN.
in lS25. the year before his death a
Eecond Adams sat in the presidential
chair, his satisfaction was complete
JcTerson Entertained Like 4 Prince
At the close of Jenersons second
administration he remained in Wash
ington only long enough TO see his
successor and most intimate friend
James Madison. inaugurated. Then