RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES

[Library of Congress]

1822-1893

19th President (1877-1881)

Biographical Data
Religious Views
Quotations
References, Links, & Further Reading

Education: Kenyon College, Harvard Law School

Occupation: lawyer

Political Affiliation: Republican

Religious Affiliation: none

Summary of Religious Views:

Hayes considered himself to be a Christian, in his own fashion.

Views on Religion & Politics:

Quotations:

"The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the Territories is ample. It is not a case for halfway measures. The political power of the Mormon sect is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous Territories. It is extending steadily into other Territories. Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperiled, and to fully reopen to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions, it is recommended that the government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized." -- Fourth Annual Message, 6 December 1880

"Queer world! We fret our little hour, are happy and pass away. Away! Where to? 'This longing after immortality! These thoughts that wander through eternity'! I have been and am an unbeliever of all these sacred verities. But will I not take refuge in the faith of my fathers at last? Are we not all impelled to this? The great abyss, the unknown future,--are we not happier if we give ourselves up to some settled faith? Can we feel safe without it? Am I not more and more carried along, drifted, towards surrendering to the best religion the world has yet produced? It seems so. In this business, as I ride through the glorious scenery this loveliest season of the year, my thoughts float away beyond this wretched war and all its belongings. Some, yes many, glorious things, as well as all that is not so, [impress me]; and [I] think of the closing years on the down-hill side of life, and picture myself a Christian, sincere, humble, devoted, as conscientious in that as I am now in this--not more so. My belief in this war is as deep as any faith can be;--but thitherward I drift. I see it and am glad." -- Diary, 29 October 1861

"Our County Bible Society holds its yearly meeting soon. As one of the vice-presidents of the general society of the county, as a non-church member, a non-professor of religion, I may say why men of the world, friends of their country and of their race, should support the religion of the Bible--the Christian religion. To worship -- 'the great Creator to adore' -- the wish to establish relations with the Omnipotent Power which made the universe, and which controls it, is a deeply seated principle of human nature. It is found among all races of men. It is well-nigh universal. All peoples have some religion. In our day men who cast off the Christian religion show the innate tendency by spending time and effort in Spiritualism. If the God of the Bible is dethroned the goddess of reason is set up. Religion always has been, always will be. Now, the best religion the world has ever had is the religion of Christ. A man or a community adopting it is virtuous, prosperous, and happy.

. . .

"What a great mistake the man makes who goes about to oppose this religion! What a crime, if we may judge of men's acts by their results! Nay, what a great mistake is made by him who does not support the religion of the Bible!" -- Diary, 15 October 1884

"I am not a subscriber to any creed. I belong to no church. But in a sense, satisfactory to myself and believed by me to be important, I try to be a Christian, or rather I want to be a Christian and to help do Christian work." -- Diary, May 17, 1890

"I am a Christian according to my conscience in belief, not of course in character and conduct, but in purpose and wish;-- not of course by the orthodox standard. But I am content, and have a feeling of trust and safety." -- Diary, 8 January 1893

References, Links, & Further Reading: Books, Articles, Links

Books

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Works by Rutherford B. Hayes

ed. by T. Harry Williams, Hayes: The Diary of a President, 1875-1881, McKay, 1964
ed. by Charles Richard Williams, The Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes, Nineteenth President of the United States, Ohio State Archeological and Historical Society, 1922

Biographies

Harry Barnard, Rutherford B. Hayes: And His America, Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1954; reprint, Russell & Russell, 1967
ed. by A. Bishop, Rutherford B. Hayes, 1822-1893, Oceana Pub., 1969
Kenneth Davison, The Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, Greenwood Press, 1972
ed. by Carol B. Fitzgerald, Rutherford B. Hayes, Meckler Pub., 1991
Ari Hoogenboom, The Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, Univ. Press of Kansas, 1988
Ari Hoogenboom, Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President, Univ. Press of Kansas, 1995
Ari Hoogenboom, Rutherford B. Hayes: One of the Good Colonels, McWhiney Foundation Press, 1999
William Dean Howells, Sketch of the Life and Character of Rutherford B. Hayes, Hurd & Houghton, 1876; reprint, R. West, 1980
Roy Morris, Jr., Fraud of the Century: Rutherford B. Hayes, Samuel Tilden, and the Stolen Election of 1876, Simon & Schuster, 2004
Hans Trefousse, Rutherford B. Hayes: 1877 - 1881, Times Books, 2002