The Meeker herald., 1917-06-30
THE WHITE HOUSE
Many Presidents Left 1t Without
a Pang of Regret.
GLAD TO ESCAPE ITS CARES
Jefferson. With Tears In His Eyes,
Voiced His Joy In Returning to His
Glover FisIds-Johnson Also Depart
cd With Feelings Of Deep Relief.

cd with Feelings OF Deep Heher.
The varied CIRCUMSTANCES under
which presidents Of the United States
left Washington following the ending
of their terms of office is interesting.
for no two followed exactly the same
course. Each presidents manner Of
farewell depended upon his tempera-
ment or upon his success In Office,
Washington and John Adams and JEFF
ferson all said farewell with gladness
In their hearts. for each of these was
well along In life at the time. and each
was glad to lay down the formnlities
OF public Office.
John Quincy Adams, like his father
before him. did not walt to witness the
| Inauguration OF his successor. Thomas
Jefferson. after two terms in the White
House. said. with tears In his eyes
that he was glad beyond expression to
return to the "clover fields Of his farm
at Monticello"
Andrew Jackson left the White
| House without regret. Not that lie was
| tired Of serving his country. but that
| age was creeping upon him and the
mental and physical strain Of public
life was beginning to tell upon his gen
eral health.
President Van Buren, left the White
| House on foot. becoming thus of a sud
den once more an ordinary citizen. the
transition taking place with MS much
apparent indifference as was his COM
ing to the White House. An Albany
newspaper Of the time relates that ION
Monday. March /, large number Of
the Democracy called upon Mr.. Van
Buren, and were received by him in the
celebrated east room, where he bid
them farewell. He walked down the
avenue today March A. as unconcern-
ed rs the most humble spectator In the
crowd"
President Tyler, before leaving the
White House. engaged quarters ut n
Washington hotel and. after welcom-
ing his successor. President Folk.
drove to his temporary home with Mrs
Tyler. President johnson. beset by en-
emies whose attacks had continued to
harnss him all during his term of office.
| left the White House with feelings of
deep relief. Reporters OF that day tell
us how, on the Sd Of March, 1860. the
day before General Grant came to the
White HouS lat IL o'clock President
Johnson's private reception room was
thrown open to an immense throIg OF
visitors. The president was in the
room and shook hands with all the VS.
itors. many Of whom seemed much az
fected. being personal friends"
When President Hayes took his de-
pnrture from the White House he re-
manned for n short time In Washington
as the guest Of Senator Sherman. Sec
rotary OF the treasury. and of Mr.. SUIT
ton. The evening before President
| HarrisOns ieavetaking his daughter,
Mrs. Mckee. held farewell reception.
The majority of the presidents have
accompanied their successors to the
capitol to he sworn In. departing after
ward In their own private carriages.
Many of them later revisited the White
| House. but the most striking OF these
revisits were those of President Grant
and benjamin Harrison. 1t was more
than twelve years after his second term
| that Grant paid his visit to the White
House. 1t was during President Ar
thurs term. He arrived there I'M
announced and was wandering about
the building renewing old acquaint-
ances. when he was taken in hand by
Thomas Pendei. the head doorkeeper.
who had occupied the same position
during the Grant administration.
While President Mckinley was the
tenant of the White House he was one
day approached by one of the ushers'
who said: MIR. President. ex-President
Harrison is in the east room Just to
look around and says not to disturb
YOU" Mr.. Mckinley at the time was
holding cabinet meeting. which he
Instantly adjourned and went to the re-
ception room to welcome General l1ar-
rison and his wife. They spent pleas
ant hour with the president and Mrs
Mckinley In their private apartments.
san Francisco Chronicle.