Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-09-10
LADY OCCUPANTS
wRIIrrN FOR TIE HOME JOURNAL
OF THE WHITE HOUSE AT WASHINGTON.


Mrs. Madison may be considered the foun.
der of the presidential leeves and etiquette
at the White House, the customs and formal
tiles introduced by Mrs Washington and Mrs
Adams at n. y. and Philadelphia, having
been done away with, as already mentioned
by Mr.. Jefferson. Mrs Madison was about
twenty years younger than her husband,
whom she married in 1894, when he was in
his iorty-thrd year She was then the wild
ow OF lawyer OF Pennsylvania, named Todd,
who died in less than three years after mar
rage Her maiden name was Dolly Paine.
and her father who belonged TO TIE Society
OF Friends, had removed from Virginia to
! Philadelphia. She was always admired for
her agreeable manners, her fine, tall, and
graceful person, and her talents in conversa.
ton. With an amiable disposition, mild
and digniied department, few American la
dies have been more distinguished than Mrs.
Madison, in the various high stations she was
called to occupy and adorn through long
| life
After several years residence at the hos
pitabIe mansion of Mr.. Madison, his ladv ac.
companieG him to Washington where they
took up their residence in April, 1901. We
! have noticed the influence which she, as wife
of the Secretary Of State, acquired in the SO.
cial circles Of the new city The dulness
which might have prevailed there, in the Pc
cullar state of society, was dissipated by The
cheerfulness and innocent gaiety which she
infused and encouraged by her example. The
kindly feelings cultivated by Mrs. Madison,
trumphed over the auimosiy of party spirit,
and won popularity for her husband which
his lofty reserve and cold manners would have
failed in efecing.
! In Washington, the day OF Mr. Madison's
inauguration as President, March 4, 1909,
was day of jubilee. Gladness and kindness
seemed the universal feeling Every face
beamed with smiles of graduation, and every
hand was stretched out in cordial greeting. A
residence of eight years in the city, by making
Mr.. and Mrs. Madison well known, had OBJ.
tanned for them regard warm and sincere.
After Mr.. Jefferson left the city for his seat in
Virginia, MIR. Madison removed to the Presi-
dents House, which became the centre Of q
gay and brilliant circle. and yet of social and
delightful society. In addition to dining par
ties every week, drawing-room was now o.
pened, where the beauty and fashion of the
nation found the best theatre for display
Those who remembered the stiff formaIity
= and strict ceremonies of Mrs. Washington.
= drawing-room, anticipated a renewal of the
! same dull scene But Mrs. Madison was fot
> to dulIness in every form even when inves
ted with the dignity which high ceremonial
could bestoy. All unnecessary etiquette wa
: banished, and no acquisitions were made be
!, |, yond those which regulated good society ia
private houses.
: In August, 1915, the tranquility of th
White House was disturbed BY the British
invasion. On the advance of the troops O
, the enemy towards Washington, Mrs. hladi
l. son was left in charge Of the house by he
! husband, who had gone TO Join the American
{ general who commanded the militia calle
u out Tor the defence of the city. She remain
!, ed until the British cannon announced the
- arrival in the immediate vicinity, evincn
ID great presence of mind, and making every eli
Y tort to save everything of the most value il
the house. The conflagraton of the publ
70 buildings followed the entrance of the cpem
into the city, and the President and his famil
found only blackened walls at their residence
on their return TO the city, when the Brilis
had retired During the remainder of NJ
al Madison's presidential term, which expired
ar March 1917, he resided in private house i
rt Washington, where, however, he receive
in company with undiminished hospitality. Lii
TX departure from the city to his retirement
Virginia, was lamented by the citizens wit
ID whom his family. for sixteen years, had live
v. on terms of reciprocal kindness.
at There was no material change at the Whit
II House during the eight years presidency
O. Mr. Monroe. lie had commenced his res
dence at Washington in 1911. as one of NJ
of Madison's cabinet and of course had bee
familiar with the seat Of government for
It. boat SIX years before he was inauguratc
IL President March 4, lsl7.-Mrs. Monroe W,
ly a lady well qualified to succeed Mrs Madst
as in doing the honors of the Presidential Ma
sion. She was daughter of Mr. L. Kor
nd right, OF the city Of New York, and was ma
lis ried to Mr.Monroe about 1885, while be "
N. attending the Congress, as member fro
Virginia. This lady had been celebrated
the fashionable circles of London and Pal
he for her beauty and accomplishments and
married life she was exemplary as well as d
Of ornament TO the society in which she was ca
k. led to act during the scenes Of her husband
IS, career She had two chillran both daug
,r. ters, one of whom married George Hay. Es
.es OF Richmond; the other was the wife of Sar
uel Gouveneur Esq, of New York.
The late j. Fenimore Cooper, in his an
tons of the Americans. by Travelling Bac
Sc, elor," describes society and other matters
It's Washington during the presidency of \
Monroe. He says;--"0n "Wednesday NJ
ID; Monroe opened her doors to all the wo,
ye- No invitation was necessary. il being the
age for the wife Of the President @ rscsi