The Washington herald., 1914-06-03
HISTORY BUILDERS
The Presidential Candidate Who knew
How to Take Defeat
written Expressly for The Herald.)
By DIR. E ,. EDWARDS.

written Expressly for The Herald.)
By DIR. E ,. EDWARDS.
Mr.. A A. Johnson. now a citizen Of
Pittsburgh. Pa, was, in the latter part
of the administration OF President Hayes,
in Official association with the COMMITTEES
Of Foreign Relations Of the United States
Senate. In that association he estab-
lished kindly friendships with several
Senators who at that time were OF nation
wide reputation. Among them was Gen.
Ambrose +. Burnside. who. after the
civil war. in which he gained great dis
tinction. served first as governor of
Rhode Island and then as United States
Senator from that State.
Senator William Eaton Of Connecticut.
who in his day was as distinguished q
Democrat as could be found in the menu
bership of the Democratic party in New
England. was also highly esteemed as a
friend by Mr.. Johnson. Another member
of the committee was Roscoe Conkling,
for whom Mr.. johnson entertained great
admiration
Recently Mr. johnson said to me that
Roscoe Conkling was not surpassed by
any Senator in courtesy and kindness In
all his intercourse with the Senate on
GERS and employees. That is a statement
which I have heard from others over
whom Mr.. Conkling stood in his Sena-
torial capacity.
"As interesting an experience as I had
while was officially associated with the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations"
said Mr.. johnson. was a chat with Gen.
Winfield Scott Hancock on the day Of
the Inauguration of President Garfield.
"No one who was not familiar with the
fact would have dreamed from anything
in Gen. Hancock's manner that he was
the defeated candidate for President at
the November election of 1850. He seemed
to take keen interest in the Inauguration
ceremony: he was dignified, yet cordial.
and could not help thinking of the ap-
propriateness of the distinctive term
which Daniel Dougherty used when plac-
ing Gen. Hancocks name before the
Democratic national convention. You will
remember. probably, that the great ora
tor spoke of him as Hancock. the superb
Shortly after the Inauguration Of
Vice President Arthur. I went to the
committee-room. where / was rejoiced
to meet Gen. Hancack. He was very cor
dial. He chatted with me for five or ten
minutes and seemed to be in high spirits.
Gen. Hancock never seemed TO share the
feeling Of his friends, which was that OF
keen regret over his defeat for the Pres
idency. ] recall vividly an answer which
he made when one Of these friends ex-
pressed. in all sincerity and earnestness.
his deep regret that it was not Gen. Han
cock who that day was inaugurated as
President
THE general gave TO the friend a rare
smile. in which there was not the slight
est hint Of regret. and then he said,
speaking in a gentle voice, We must take
things as they come even il they are not
as We could wish. These few words he
spoke his entire philosophy OF defeat. The
dignity of Gen. Hancock's manner. the
kindly courtesy. the simplicity of his con-
duct as he tok part in the ceremonial OF
the Inauguration, greatly impressed his
friends"
tCoryriEht leIi - Dr. T. J. Edsards All rights
resrryed-l
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell How
an OUTGOING Senator said Good-by."