THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 876, 16 April 1877, Page 3

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

(From the Australasian.)

Late tomograms leave no doubt of the election of G-overnor Hayes as President of the United States, and his inauguration, wo presume, took place on the 4th insfc. In him the country will possess a chief magistrate of unblemished reputation, and of more than average ability. In the latter respect he is inferior, perhaps, to the defeated candidate, but he is immeasurably superior to his predecessor, whom he resembles only in this respect, that he proved himself to be a brave and skilful soldier diu-ing the civil war.

Rutherford B. Hayes was born at Delaware, Ohio, on the ith of October, 1822, so that he is now in his 55th year. He is of Scotch descent on his father's, and of Huguenot on his mother's side. During one of tho wars between the English and the Scotch the head of the family was at work in the fields when the tide of battle chanced to roll past them. " Pull your plough and harrow to pieces and fight,"' said the old man to his sons. They did so, and the King of Scotland was so wellpleased with their valor, that ho gave fckam a grant of land, and a coat of arms with a plough and harrow on a battle-field. One of the descendants of this combative Hayes emigrated to America in the 17th century ; imd Rutherford's father married Sophia Birchard, whose ancestoi-s had tied to England after the revocation of the Edict of Nnnfces, from whence one of them came across the Atlantic, and settled at Nbr.wich, in Connecticut, in 1635. They aye wry particular about remembering and recording these dates in America, because, being a democratic community, they are exceedingly proud of tracing their lineage to people of gentle blood. Rutherford B. Hayes having graduated at Kenyon College, Crumbier, Ohio, proceeded from thence to Cambridge, Mass., where he received his professional education at the Law School. At both places his geniality

of disposition, manliness of character, and robust common sense, combined to make him a general favorite, while he also distinguished himself by his sound scholarship, and a natural gift for oratory. Later on in life the Harvard University paid him the compliment of bestowing on him the degree of LL.D. He commenced business as a lawyer at Fremont, in his native State, but soon afterwards removed to Cincinnati, which offered a much wider field for his abilities. Here he soon made his mark as one of the most brilliant young men at the bar, which was at that time adorned by men like Chase (afterwards Chief Justice), Fondle ton, Hoadley, and others. He was so popular as a pleader, and his forensic addresses drew such large audiences to the court-house, that many of his best friends were apprehensive lest his head should be turned by the praises and attention he received. His mind, however, seems to be well ballasted, and he did not suffer by his rapid rise in public favor. When the war broke out he enlisted as a private soldier in the Northern army, but was soon appointed major of the 23rd Ohio Infantry, by Governor Dennison. For some time he was stationed in West Virginia, where the operations were mostly expeditionary, but when an opportunity did present itself for showing the sort of stuff he was made of, Major Hayes proved himself to be possessed of coolness, skill, and bravery. In the battle of South Mountain, where his arm was broken by a bullet, he fought at the head of his regiment until, overcome by pain and loss of blood, he was carried fainting from the field. According to the testimony of his brother officers, " his charge across the slough in the battle of Opegnan was scarcely excelled during the whole of the war as a feat of personal gallantry, and the skill and intrepidity with wliich he handled his division at Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, stamped him as a man of real military genius." In fact, he was looked upon as one of the finest officers in the volunteer service, not only by his comrades, but by men who had followed a military career from boyhood. He received promotion as brigadier general ; and at the close of the war lie was elected to a seat in Congress, where he represented the Second Ohio district, and served on one or two important committees. In 1866 he was again returned, and in the following year his fellow-citizens elected him Governor [of Ohio, a distinction which lias been twice conferred on him since. In fact he was the recognised leader of the Bcpublican party in that State, where his personal popularity has always been very great, and this has been reinforced by his ability and prudence in the management of those who share in his opinions. According to the credible testimony of an opposition journal, "a better tactician never led a party in a political contest."

Rutherford Hayes lives mostly upon his farm at Fremont, the management of which he personally superintends, and is said to possess a robust constitution, to be very abstemious in his habits, and fond of an active out-of-door life. He is fortunate in his domestic relations, and, if report says true, Mrs Hayes is a lady who will preside over the hospitalities of the White House at Washington with a simple courtesy and a quiet dignity, which may have a beneficial effect upon female society in that city. He himself is an accomplished scholar, well-read, and possessing a large fund of varied information. He is a good civseitr, and can tell a story with point and humour. His hobby is archaeology, and he is said to be better acquainted with the antiquities of Ohio, and with its earlier and later history, than any other person in the State.