The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-21
evening Ttlegtaph
SATURDAY, APRIL 81, 1866.
The Nece essitr OF omcinl DlrnItr


the adoption of the Constitution given birth
to new form of nationality than the kepub-
lican and Federal factions arose to quarrel
over the dress rather than the doctrines
which should subsist under the new regime.
Those familiar with the early history of the
struggle will easily call to mind the acrimony
with which each party abused its opponent.
The Federalists were "royalists," !" "aristocra-
tics.n and desired monarch. The Repub-
licans were "Jacobins," "subverters Of ORDER"
and imitators of the red revolutlonists OF
France. And although we may smile at the
hard names applied, and consider the issue
one of the dead dogmas of the past, yet to
this day we feel the influences of that bitter
contest.
The quiet dignity of the first President was
augmented by the formality with which he was
surrounded, and it took many years for the
anarchical doctrine of perfect equality to do
away with the ceremonies which hedged the
Executive about. The receptions OF the
earlier heads of our nation were stately and
dignifed. True, they had not the ultra for
mality of the court levees, and no ridicu-
lous habit of requiring certain dresses was
demanded, as lis done even to the present
day at the receptions of the speaker of the
British House of Commons; yet there was
something that involuntarily told the visitor
that he was in the presence of the representa-
tives of great people, and not mere indi-
viduals. The bearing Of the hosts, their
manners when addressed, and their behavior
ybap OH t1nly alI
eigners as a combination of etiquette and
democracy, union of the dignity of high
official with the courteous urbanity OF
private gentleman.
We think that General JACKSON, with all
the good ne did the nation, was the first Exc
cutlve who originated nuisance by tolera-
ting familiarity which, however agreeable
TO the popular sentiment, has been subversive
of official dignity and to great degree de-
structive of that respect in which the Pre-
sident had always heretofore been held. He
allowed the entrance into the White House OF
backwoodsmen in dress which, however pic
turesque, was certainly unsuitable 70 an Exc
cutive levee. A cqronicler Of the recep-
tion at the Inauguration of General JACKSON
tells us that the men stood on the damask
chairs with their muddy boots, got into fight
with the walters to secure a couple of bowls
of punch, took all the ice-cre from the
ladies, and were only persuaded to retire by
the supply of creature comforts being removed
to the open air. 1t is to be regretted that this
disgraceful familiarity should not have ter
minated with the days of "Old Hickory" Any
one, however. who has attended reception
during the last four years, will remember the
singular vulgarity displayed by many of those
who sought the Presidential house. The ex-
cellent order issued by Mrs. LINCOLN, that
no lady with bonnet or shawl should be adj
mitted, reflects upon the bad taste which
rendered such restriction necessary. The
proper enlargement of the order, so as to
require full dress costume, would receive the
approval of the greater portion of American
society.
We have been led to these remarks, not
only because of the propriety of having our
respect for the Office, if not for the office
holders, publicly shown, but also because of the
degenerating effect the absence of formality
in the Executives receptions is having upon
the other officers of the Government. All of
our readers will agree with us that the Sena-
tors of America ought to wear dignity and
reserve which belong to the legislators
of a great people. All, joking, and IA
miliarity should be laid aside, and each so
comport himself as would beht Roman
Senator There is no necessity for arrogance,
yet reserve would sit well on the shoulders
of every, member of the highest delibera-
tive body in our land. In days
gone by, such was the hduteur of
these representatives OF sovereign States
that they were universally respected. Butwith
the absence of official dignity around the Ex-
ecutive has come degeneracy in the Senate.
The recent disgraceful, scene in which a mem
Der appeared in state OF brutal drunkenness,
and filed the hall Of legislation with his OBJ
scene, yes, infamous stories, and yet has not
forfeited his membership, is an evidence of the
deterioration of the Senatorial pride of Office.
We can imagine RANDOLPH, Otis, LIGHT
FOOT LEE, MIFFLIN, or the ADAMsEs and
JAYS, sitting quietly by and witnessing such
an exhibition Those who, cater to false de-
mocratic taste may be in favor of a member
OF the highest body on the continent smiling
and faWning like ward politician; but We
frankly say that were state, dignity, iormality
and etiquette introduced, or rather recalled
TO the Capitol would do much for the renoYa
ton Of national morals.
-