Shadow And Custodial Presidents Essay Research Paper

Shadow And Custodial Presidents Essay, Research Paper

Shadow and Custodial Presidents

Grant (1868) Cleveland (1892)

Throughout the history of the world there have been many people remembered for their actions and a great deal more forgotten for no real reason. This does not exempt more recent history. After the American Civil War, six lesser-known Presidents, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison, have been given titles of either shadow or custodial presidents. A shadow, is a section of darkness, or a part that follows behind. Some of the Presidents seem to have fallen into the shadows of other events, people, and issues. Others put themselves there, just stepping out long enough to take care of a few urgent tasks then sink back into the unknown. Custodial Presidents a term implying that the man is there only to fix problems already out of hand. He does not create policies or change the course of the nation, just keeps it on its way. Truthfully, some of these men are deserving of these titles. Others may not be.

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant 1868-1876

Towards the end of President Johnson s term in office, Johnson and Grant began to have public disagreements about the state of the Union. Due to these quarrels Grant aligned himself with the Radical Republican political party. Grant was already well known for his triumphs during the Civil War and was thus, the popular choice for Presidential Nominee.

Grant was the son of an Ohio tanner. He was educated at West Point, where he graduated 21st out of 39. Grant fought in both the Mexican and Civil Wars. In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln appointed Grant to the Position of General in Chief.

As President, grant had difficulty in making wise judgements. He was a man who tried, in most ways; to be honest, but still found himself in association to dishonest acts.

Grant was known to accept a considerable amount of gifts from political admirers. He was also seen with the speculators, Jay Gould and James Fisk. Two men, who were planning to corner the market in gold. Grant did realize their plan, and he tried to put an abrupt halt to it. However his action caused a tremendous amount of fiduciary turmoil. Grant in no way curbed Radical Reconstruction, in the South. At times he aided it with military force.

Mostly, during his two terms as President, Grant spent a great deal of time cleaning up the messes that him and others had created. Therefor, he had little time to address issues that were presently arising. Grant has been labeled a Custodial President for these reasons, and the term is fitting.

After his Presidency Grant became involved with a financial firm that later went bankrupt. Soon following he was diagnosed with cancer of the throat and died in 1885, shortly after completing his memoirs.

Rutherford B. Hayes 1876-1880

At the center of the most debated presidential election ever, is Rutherford Hayes. A man who spoke well, presented himself properly, and made moderate changes in America.

Hayes was born in the state of Ohio in 1822. Later, he was educated at Kenyon College and Harvard Law School. Afterward he fought in the Civil War, where he was wounded in action. Hayes was elected into Congress in 1865, and served three terms as the Governor of Ohio between1867 and 1876.

Hayes ran for the Presidency in 1876, and had the minority of the popular vote. However, Zachariah Chandler, Republican National Chairman, was aware of a loophole in the election process. The electoral vote was in Hayes favor 185 to 184.

Upon election, Hayes demanded that his dealings with lobbyists and politicians should be based upon the merit and importance of each issue, rather than political considerations of the person. He also chose men to be part of his cabinet that he believed to of a high caliber. Much to the disgruntlement of many Republicans, this cabinet included an ex-Confederate and a man who bolted from the Republican Party.

Hayes promised to try and protect the rights of former slaves in the South, while reestablishing a peaceful, local self-government. In order to accomplish this Hayes removed troops from the Southern states. Hayes and the people who followed his efforts were dedicated to their cause, but could not win over the Solid South.

His attempts at rebuilding the nation were unrealized and never rarely commended. Hayes office inspired some people for a few years, but made no real impact on the Union. These factors caused Hayes to be labeled a shadow president. A title he rightfully earned.

After serving only one term in office, Hayes retired to Ohio where he died in 1893.

James Garfield 1880-1881

Being the second President shot in office, Garfield died in September of 1881 without completing his term of office.

Garfield was born in Ohio in 1831 and was educated at William s College. Later he taught at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute before being elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1859. His main concern while in office was bringing the seceded states back into the Union. After this term, Garfield was elected 18 times into Congress and became the leading Republican in the House.

Once in office Garfield focused on strengthening the authority of the Federal government. He made examples of his importance by taking a firm command of

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