***(Editor’s Note: Leading up to Inauguration Day on January 20th, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)***

#37: James Buchanan (1857-1861)

Buchanan is lucky not to be any lower on this list. In fact, in an earlier “rough draft” of the rankings, I had originally slotted him in the 40+ category. However, feeling unjustified in ranking William Henry Harrison and James Garfield gave Buchanan a ‘free pass’ out of the cellar. The last-minute categorization of the “Crooks, Criminals, and Cheats” pushed him higher on the list than he clearly deserves.

Buchanan served one term as President, from 1857-1861. Did you get that? “1861”…as in the year the Civil War started.

That’s right. The “United” States began to unravel uncontrollably under Buchanan’s watch, and the President did very little to stop it. The fact that he wouldn’t take a solid stance (on either side) regarding secession, and the inevitability of a bloody war between the states, ranks him near the bottom of just about every known list when it comes to effectiveness and leadership.

While in office, Buchanan repeatedly appeased the pro-slavery movement due to his personal feelings on the matter. Yet, he often pretended to ‘ride the fence’ on the issue. His administration was in place during the controversial Dred Scott ruling (slaves were considered to be “property”) and the “Bleeding Kansas” atrocities. He later stated his belief that states did not possess the right to leave the Union, but he also claimed that the Federal Government had little power to stop secession.

Therefore, it was no surprise when several states began to cut ties with the Union just prior to Buchanan leaving office. He left a terrible mess behind for the man who would follow…a man who would seize the opportunity to guide our nation through its darkest hour, and ultimately ascend to Presidential immortality.

As a closing thought on Buchanan, I find it interesting that he is the only U.S. President who never married. Perhaps his lack of visionary leadership, fortitude, and decision-making played some small role in that fact. 

Notable Quotations: “All the friends I loved and wanted to reward are all dead, and all the enemies I hated and had marked for punishment are now, in turn, my friends.”

“If you are as happy, my dear sir, on entering the White House as I am in leaving it, then you are the happiest man in the country.” (Conversation with Abraham Lincoln in 1861)

#37: James Buchanan

#36: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

While we’re in the neighborhood, let’s go back a few years, sit down, and pour ourselves a drink with #36 on our list, Franklin Pierce. Now I do not mean President Pierce any disrespect, but his addiction to alcohol cannot be overlooked. In fact, it ultimately led to his death from cirrhosis just twelve years after he left office.

“The Pierce,” as he was sometimes called, was a man of significant popularity…at first. However, this popularity did little to curb his personal demons with the aforementioned alcohol and a fragile marriage (which failed after his Presidency).

Pierce neglected to remedy the growing problems facing our nation during his lone term in office (1853-1857). For this reason, we can conclude that his actions (or lack thereof) helped lay the foundation for the Civil War that would come just a few years later.

Perhaps the biggest controversy stemmed from the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska on the basis of Popular Sovereignty. It also overturned the Missouri Compromise in the process. These key elements became the nails that “pierced” the already wavering foundation underneath the Union. In the end, President Pierce lost a tremendous amount of support, and subsequently the popularity that he had leaned on in earlier years.

One bright spot for Pierce was the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico (which later became New Mexico and Arizona). However, his close personal affiliation with future Confederate President Jefferson Davis ultimately bruised his reputation among many in the North.

When the time came for reelection in 1856, the Democratic Party turned their back on him, and Pierce was finished like the last shot of a cheap bourbon. During the Civil War he supported the Confederacy, which only deepened the nails in the coffin of his legacy, and laid to rest the remains of the once-popular political figure forever. 

Notable Quotations: “I acknowledge my obligations to the masses of my countrymen, and to them alone.”

“Now there’s nothing left to do but get drunk.” (after the Democratic Party turned their back on him in 1856) 

Famous Slogan/Phrase Associated With Pierce: “We Polked You In ’44, and We Shall Pierce You in ’52.” (His campaign slogan)

#36: Franklin Pierce

#35: Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

Let’s just stick with the current trend and back up one more President to locate #35. Fillmore is one of the all-time most ‘forgotten’ Presidents. His rise to the Oval Office occurred only after the death of Zachary Taylor, who coincidentally only served for a little over a year before dying unexpectedly, thus leaving the seat vacant for Fillmore. He would fill the role of President for the remainder of Taylor’s term for about two-and-a-half years between 1850-1853.

As with Buchanan and Pierce, Fillmore believed that keeping the South satisfied through policies of appeasement and by endorsing the expansion of slavery was the best roadblock to civil unrest. And just like the other two, he couldn’t have been more wrong in his assumption.

While Fillmore’s political contributions were relatively minor by comparison, he did oversee two significant pieces of legislation that added more fuel to the raging fires of debate regarding slavery, state/territory rights, and boundaries on expansion. These included the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act. The latter required runaway slaves be returned to their masters, and that anyone caught aiding “fugitive” slaves could be tried for a criminal act. 

Notable Quotations: “An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.”

“It is a national disgrace that our Presidents, after having occupied the highest position in the country, should be cast adrift, and, perhaps be compelled to keep a corner grocery for subsistence.”

#35: Millard Fillmore

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR:

#35: Millard Fillmore

#36: Franklin Pierce

#37: James Buchanan

#38: Richard Nixon

#39: Bill Clinton

#40: Warren Harding

#41: Andrew Johnson

#42*: James Garfield

#43*: William Henry Harrison