Here are some of the traits of the first ten Presidents and a look at how I personally see some of their traits.
Washington is one of those Presidents that had so many great traits that people would like to see in themselves. Everyone likes George Washington so how could anyone go wrong with one of his traits.
Many people look at Washington and see a very strong individual and they wouldn’t be wrong. But Washington was also someone who was very concerned when people tried to tarnish his name, especially when what was being said was untrue. Usually he didn’t try to correct them with angry words or raising his voice. No, he set out to prove them wrong by his actions. After all, he was a man of action. When the British would not acknowledge his talent and his right to be a “British” officer, during the French and Indian War, he joined the American cause and showed Britain what poor judgment they really had. Often I find myself trying to adjust people’s thoughts of me by working harder to prove them wrong rather than getting up in their face and “correcting them.”
John Adams is like the little red headed step-child of the Presidents. Most of that reputation was probably self-generated. He was a very intelligent man whose soul was filled with passion for the causes close to his heart. That passion, however, was prone to get hurt pretty easily when someone didn’t share his passion with their own excitement. Often mocked as silly and too serious, his feelings just got hurt all the more. Most of that description doesn’t really describe me, but I sometimes do wear my heart on my sleeve when I share my passions and they are either ignored or laughed at as silly. I tend to avoid those individuals or refuse to express my opinions around them.
Jefferson is another one of those Presidents a lot of people wish they were like. John F. Kennedy once hosted some Nobel Prize winners at the White House for a dinner on April 29, 1962. Kennedy would say, “I want to tell you how welcome you are to the White House. I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Although I am nowhere near as smart as Thomas Jefferson, I have a drive inside me to always learn more. I like to figure out how things work. Whether it is a game, something in the yard or just reading a book, I’m constantly looking for ways to put more in that little brain of mine.
Madison was nicknamed “The Father of the Constitution.” Many don’t realize just how much effort he put into generating this document we call the Constitution. Madison would study many different cultures and governments throughout history. He then took bits and pieces, wove them together, creating this form of government we call a democracy. I love reading about people’s lives, especially the Presidents, and finding things in their lives I can positively apply to my own life.
Monroe was the President during the “Era of Good Feeling.” It was during this period he almost was elected President unanimously. He missed it by one electoral vote. Before he became President it seems Monroe was always playing the undercard. He was always good and devoted to whatever cause he was asked to do. Rarely do you read anything about Monroe ever complaining about any assignment he was given. I have never been one to crave the spot light, and I try to accomplish just as much in the second or third fiddle position as I would if I sat at the top.
JQ Adams was probably one of the best prepared people to ever enter the Presidency. It probably didn’t hurt that his father was also President. Reaching the Presidency is the ultimate political position in our country. What is there to accomplish, politically, after that? Being a Senator or Governor might be acceptable, but being a lowly Representative would seem to be out of the question. Quincy Adams never thought of anything being beneath him and he was elected and proudly served in the House of Representative. Personally, I have never been a title seeker. I have served in positions some would considered “higher” than others. I have also served in positions that others might concerned “lowly.” I have an equal respect for the guy holding the shovel as I do for the guy wearing the crown.
Jackson is probably best remembered for his stubbornness and unwavering opinions. Jackson also had his kryptonite. Jackson absolutely adored his wife. When people questioned whether she was actually divorced from her abusive husband, who abandoned her before Jackson and her married, he would strongly defend her. When a majority of his cabinet members’ wives would not associate with another cabinet member’s wife, because of her questionable background, Jackson would have no parts of it and demanded the other cabinet member “make” their wives include her. Although my wife doesn’t have such character issues, and she seems to play well with others, I am by far her biggest fan.
Van Buren was nicknamed “The Little Magician.” He seemed to always be able to pull victories out of nowhere. Many believe the term “okay (actually ok)” came from Van Buren. He had another nickname of “Old Kinderhook (he was born in Kinderhook, New York).” Supporters would shorten it to “OK” at rallies. As part of my normal conversation, people are often surprised by the way I use words in different directions than they are probably intended. Maybe one day one of my Wayneisms will become part of the everyday lexicon.
Harrison might be best known for being the first President to die in office. At the time he was also the oldest. In his time of Indian fighting his nemesis was the Indian chief Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his uncle are believed to order the curse on the American Presidents. Their first intended target was Harrison. Many believe the Curse of Tecumseh started a chain where all Presidents elected in years ending in zero died in office. The curse seemed to be broken by another old man: Ronald Reagan (elected in 1980). Reagan survived his whole terms. Before becoming President, Harrison lived a long, modest retirement. To help fund that retirement he once started a liquor business. He sold whiskey he distilled on his farm. He became disturbed by the effects alcohol was having on his customers and soon gave it up and closed his distillery. He claimed he had sinned because of this temptation he provided and he encouraged others to learn from his mistakes. I have seen many people’s lives destroyed by the effects of substance abuse. My heart sometimes trembles when I notice that being a crutch some people rely on. Personally, I am not troubled by the use of alcohol. I just don’t want those close to me messing up their lives because they are dependent on artificial substances to cope with troubles.
Wow! Are we at number ten already? John Tyler was the first person to become President on the death of a President. Whether he was liked or not, he set up many of the precedents we honor when a Vice President replaces the elected President. He was called “His Accidency.” Congress wanted to control the country, but he claimed he was the rightful heir. He even tried to get the opposition party to nominate him on his own once he finished Harrison’s term. There were no takers and he was sent home. There have been times in my life that I have felt totally abandoned. Everything I ever worked for seemed for naught. Like Tyler, I would sadly back into a corner, wounded. Wanting to stay as far apart from failure as possible, I would retreat into the background without any want to ever come out. Tyler would come out of his shell and find some redemption, if you want to call it that, by being elected into the House of Representatives of the Confederacy when the southern states would secede. My crisis would pass, too, and I would return to the world of the living.
So, there you have it. A little look at my life through the lives of the first ten Presidents.
