The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-28

posed OF the richest materials and are IN pereo' mar
mony with all the gorgeous arrangements ~ 'i,s may
nifcent saloon, Whereas the curtains WHICH WIZ
there at the retirement Of General Jackson we'e
~ crimson daask double silks that had been boughi
from Mr. Perdreauyille for the trifing sum o. "ui
hundred and fifty dollars, and were no' deemeu ~
fashionable gentlemen and ladies suiheienty sPehuu
20 suit the other drapery OF TIM saloon oon sn 80
defence win be considered good for VI 50I % OF the
Peoples cash, leave the reopie themselves "
| we shall now Mr. Chairman, take our leave of the
Blue Ellptca Saloon but before we pass out oil the
door turn your eyes, and take moments survey OF
the tout ensemble not emitting the highly polished
and beautiful marble mantel, with ITS superb but IAN
taste ornaments and tell me whether this sumptnous-
~ rarnished saloon bears the characteristics OF an
apartment intended for the accommodation OF the
chief servant OF plain, economical, hardy, and re-
publican people Or whether il does not more re-
semhe the Audience Room Of Monarch in which
he receives his sleek and riband-bedecked courties,
they present themselves with their humbles genur
| lexons and prostratons, crouching like tawning
spanels to the hand which has il in its power to throw
them bone
| On each side Of the Blue Elptical Saloon and
| communicating Herewith by very large smoothly
vanished doors, is paralelogram drawing-Ioom, Of
SO by % feet These apartments are called the green
and yellow" drawing rooms, and, by some are sup
posed TO rival the Saloon III the splendG ana men
ness Of their drapery and other decorations and with
il form suit III rooms that many OF the inferior MO
narchs Of Europe would feel proud to possess these
three parors formerly used for the reception OF
company on stated day Wednesday in every week
when the palace doors thrown wide open Tor all
the citizens OF the Republic who disposed TO enter
and pay their respects TO the Chief Magistrate OF the
nation But the good old usages and liberal practices
OF Jefferson Madison, and Monroe no longer of
authority at the palace economy, not Of me People 3
cash but Of the Presidents is in that quarter the
order of the day. Hence, instead of those old and
well-appointcd "eeekiy" risits and greetings, when
IL. Islawft aka nf
cheer of the Presidents House, there has been snbst-
uted one cold still formal and ceremonious assembly
on the first day OF every year AT TINS annual ieVee
notwithstanding its pomp and pageanry, no expense
whatever is incurred by the President personally no
fruits cake wine coffee, hard cider other refresh
of any kind rendered to his guests Indeed
il would initiate against all the rules fcouri etiquette
now established the palace permit vulgar eating
and drinking on this grand gala day. The only en-
teainmen there served up consists in profound bows
stately promenades formal cyilites, ardent express
sions of admiration for the pageant passing before
your eyes with anxious inquiries about the weather
all these good things go to make up what the fashion,
able people there assembled call the feast IF reason
and the .aoic Of soui This admirable course leves
no unwilling contributions the "private funds Of
the President and in that respect squares with his
economical notions TO F.s The Marine Band, how
ever is always ordered from the Navy Yard, and sta
toned in the spacious front hall, from whence they
swell the rich saloons Of the palace with Hail to the
Chief wv hall be King but Charlie, and other
kindred airs, which ravsh with delight the cais of
warriors who have never smeh powder. As the PEG
Pie cash and not his on pays for all the services OF
the Marine Band its employment at the palace does
conflict with the peculiar of the President
in regard to the obvious difference between public and
prrate economy,
MIR, Chairman, plain, sober minded republican
can have no love for the splendors Of monarchs
couIt much less can he admire the apish mimicry of
royal ceremonies, displayed with much ostentation
at the annual eyee Of the President A plain repub
lican heholds nothing in all those vain formalities
which fairly and truly represents the hardy and simple
character of the American people. British noblemen
would doubtless look with qualification at the gor-
gcous pageant of foreign ambassadors, with their at
taches bedecked in all their dazzling but grotesque
national court costumes, Lordly aristocrats would
take great delight in surveying the bright array OF
stars and ribbands Jewels and badges of honor, gold
buttons and epaulets that those occasions cause the
rich saloons of the Presidents palace to shine with
redoubed brightness, They, too, would no doubt
much admire the long lines Of black and gilded coach
es which fill the wide carriage ways leading from the
Ionic porco of the palace to the right and left hugo
iron portals which face the great avenue. But, SIR,
these gded carriages richly caparisoned horses gaudy
hammer-clohs, footmen in gold and crimson hveries
all the blaze Of equpage, and all the trappngs of royal
" have no attractions for the eyes of plain republican
freemen, They know full well that all this fnery
was purchased of the coachmaker, the painter, the
carver the glider the harness maker, and the tailor
and that the litte-soulcd mortal who thus RACES to
outshne all others IN eXternalS--Wno Wouu lnonopo-
lie not only the Injuries Of palace, but all notice
all respect, and all consideration also desire
10 ghhsring coronef, end Ito lord IL orer his
species Our plain, republican citizens are too intel
lgent to look with appreciation at royal pageant that
oiends them with its glare and they possess loo
much of the spirit of &c despse the little aris
tocrat who seems to think that the entire universe
was made for him, and such he ito take then pass
time in and who, by his imperious look, insolently
asks
=" Have poor men souls and are their bodies then
OF the same flesh and blood gentlemen
At these annual State levees' the great doors of
the Easl Room" Blue Elliptical Saloon Green
Drawing Room, and yellow Drawing Room are
thrown open at IL O'Clock precisely to the anxious
feet of gaily apparaled nohlemen honorable men,
gentlemen and ladies', Of all the nations and king
doms of the earth many of whom appear ambitiously
intent upon securing early recognition from the
head of the mansion The President, at the "same
instant OF time, assumes his station about four feet
within the Blue Elliptica Saloon" and facing the
door which looks out upon the spacious front hall but
separated from 1t before remarked by screen OF
Ionic columns He is supported on the right and left
by the Marshal of the District of Columbia, and by
of the high officers of the Government. The
Marine Band having been assigned their position AT
the eastern end of the hall with all their fine instru
ments in full tune, al the same identical moment
strike up of our most admired national airs and
forthwith current ofHfe flows in at tho wide spread
door of the palace and gides with the smooth
of music through the spacious hall by the Ionic
screen into the royal presence Here (to drop for
moment my liquid fgure) each and every individual
is presented and received with gentle shake of the
hand, and is greeted with that smile eternal" which
plays the soft features of Mr. Van Buren,, save
when he calls to mind how confoundcdly ~ Old TIP"
chased caught, and licked Proctor and Tecumseh.
Immediately after the introduction or recognition, the
current sets toward the East Room" and thus this
stream of living men and women continues to flow
and low and flow for about the space of three hours
m -
around which all this pomp pride, and parade reyove
TO him all these lesser planets turn as the sunower
turns to the sun, and feel their colors frightened
when ray of favor or . royal smile" falls upon