The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-08-20

II. u l. a-g. 81 p a.sa 2 -e
have no doubt that the more rich and
fashionable portion OF Van Buren's friends will
urge in his defence that the curtains tpur-
chased for the Blue Elliptical Saloon are
very cheap; that they are composed of the
richest materials, and are in perfect harmony
with all the gorgeous arrangements in this
magnificent saloun. Whereas the curtains
which were there. at the retirement of General
Jackson We're merely crimson ldamask double
silks, that had been bought from Mr. Perdreau-
vile for the trifing sum of four hundred and
fifty dollars, and We're not deemed by fashiona-
BILE gentlemen and ladies sufficiently splendid
to suit the other drapery Of the saloon. Wheth-
er this defence will DO considered as good for
Sl,3O7 SO OF the Peoples cash, leave the Poo
pie themselves to determine
We shall now, Mr. Chairman, take our leave
of the ''Blae Eliptical Saloon;" but before we
pass out of the door, turn your eyes, and take
u moments survey of the Stout ensemble" not
emitting the highly polished and beautiful mar
bic mantel, with its supurb but fantastic orna-
ments, and tell me whether this sumptuously
garnlshed saloon bears the characteristics of an
apartment intended for the accommodation, of
the CHIEF SERVANT of plain, economical, hardy,
and republican people? Orwhether it does not
more resemble the Audience Room Of Mon
arch, in which he receives his sleek and rib
band. bedecked courtiers, as they present them
selves with their humblest genufexions and
prostrations, crouching like fawning spanielsto
the hand which has it in its power to throw
them bone?
On each side Of the '.Blue Ellptical Saloon
and communicating Herewith by very large
smoothly vanished doors, is a paralleloeram
drawing room, Of Sc by % feet These apart
ments are called the ''green' and "yelloW"
drawing rooms, and, by some. are supposed to
rival the Saloon" in the splendor and richness
OF their, drapery and other decorations, and
with it from suit Of rooms that many of the
inferior Monarchs of Europe would feel proud
to possess. These three parlors were formerly
used Tor the reception of company on stated
day wednesday, in every week, when the pa
lace doors Were thrown wide open for all the
citizens of the Republic who were disposed to
enterIand pay their respects to the Chief Mags-
trate of the nation. 8ut the good old usages
and liberal practices Of Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, are no longer Of authority at the pal
ace; economy, not of the Peoples cash but of the
Presidents, is nowin that quarter the order Of
the day. Hence. instead of those old and we'll
appointed ''aceekly'' pisrts and greetings, when
all the People were at liberty to partake Of the
good cheer Of the Presidents House, there has
been substituted one cold, stiff, formal and Ger.
emonious assembly on the first day of every
gear. AT this annual levee, notwithstanding
its pomp and pegeantry, no expense whatever
is incurred by the President personally. No
fruits, cake, wine, coffee, hard cider, or other
refreshments of any kind are rendered to his
guests. Indeed, it would initiate against all
the rules of court etiquette now established at
the palace to permit vulgar eating and drink
ing'' on this GRAND GALA DAY. The only enter
tanment there served up consists in profound
bows, stately promenades, formal ciyilities, ar
dent expressions of admiration for the pageant
passing before your eyes, with anxious inqui-
ries about the weather-all these good things
90 to make up what the fashionable people
there assembled call the feast Of reason and
the fo,p of soul.'' This admirable course levies
no unwilling contributions on the s'private
funds of the President, and, in that respect,
squares with his economical otions to T..
The Marine Band however is always ordered
from the Navy Yard, and stationed in the spa
cious front hall, from whence they swell The
rich saloons of the palace with .Hail to the
Chief s'Wha'll be- King but Charlie, = and
other kindred airs, which ravish with delight
the ears of warriors who have never smelt
powder. as the Peoples cash and not his o,on,
paws for all the services Of the marine Band,
its employment at the palace does not conflict
with the peculiar views of the President.in re-
and prinate economy. 5..ss. 4 a Z
Mr. Chairman, a plain, sober minded repnb-
hcanfcan haye no love for the splendors of a
monarch's court, much less can he admire the
apish mimicry Of royal ceremonies displayed
with so much ostentation at the annual leyee
Of the President. A plain republican beholds
nothing in all those vain formaliries which fair
" and truly represents the hardy and simple
character of the American people. Bsitish no
blemen would doubtless look with qualification
at the gorgeous pageant Of foreign ambassadors,
with Their attaches bedecked in all their daz-
cling but grotesque national court costumes.
Lordly aristocrats would take great delight in
surveying the bright array Of stars and rib
bands, jewels and badges Of honor, gold but
tons and s.paulets, that on those occasions
cause the rich saloons Of the Presidents pal
ace to shine with rcdoubled brightness. They,
too, would no doubt much admire the long
lines of black and gilded coaches which fill the
wide tcsrriag why's leading from the Ionic por.
tico Of the palace to the right and left huge
iron portals which face,the great avenue. But,
sir, these gilded carriages. richly caparisoned
horses gaudy liammer-cloths, footmen in gold
ktsn VI s4vf fIr