James Buchanan, Pa., 4th March, 1857, to 4th March, 1861—four years.
Abraham Lincoln, Ill., 4th March, 1861, to 15th April, 1865—four years one month and ten days.
Andrew Johnson, Tenn., 15th April, 1865, to 4th March, 1869—three years ten months and twenty days.
Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., 4th March, 1869, to 4th March, 1877—eight years.
Of these William H. Harrison died 4th April, 1841, just one month after his inauguration. On the death of Harrison, Tyler, the Vice-President, became acting President. Taylor died 9th July, 1850, and Fillmore, Vice-President, became acting President. Lincoln was assassinated on the 14th April, 1865, one month and ten days after he was inaugurated upon his second term, and Andrew Johnson, the Vice-President, became acting President—this being the third time that such an event has occurred since the government went into operation.
CHAPTER II.
THE VICE-PRESIDENT.
This officer is elected by the people at the same time, and in the same manner, as the President, and for the same term. He must be a native citizen of the United States, and thirty-five years of age.
His high-sounding title would lead one who is but little acquainted with our government to think that he stands next to the President himself in dignity and power; that on his shoulders rests a large amount of the duties and responsibilities of the administration. Such, however, is not the case. He is, in fact, nearer a cipher than any of the high officers of State. He is merely the presiding officer of the Senate, with not even the power to vote, except in case of a tie vote in that body, when he may give the casting vote. It is only in case of the death, resignation, impeachment, or disability of the President to discharge his duties, that the Vice-President becomes an officer of much power or dignity.