The New York herald., 1868-12-06

was the last Of the school of Martha Washing
ton of which she was worthy representative.
General Jackson, another widower, like
Jefferson, broughtin another change. Fashion,
beauty and the doves and loves and graces
were frightened away from the White House
by boisterous politicians, the Nimrod Wild
dres from the backwoods Of Tennessee, the
bear eaters from the canebrakes of "the Big
Muddy" and the alumni of Tammany
Hail. In truth, Old Hickory was so
absorbed in party politics that before
he knew what it was all about he
found himself entangled in feminine Cabinet
imbroglio, from which there was no escape but
Of State, Martin Van Buren,, obigingly gave
the hint to his colleagues by resigning, and
they all resigned, and this was the making OF
Van Buren,. The mantle of Jackson carried
him into the White House next in the order Of
succession; but, being widower, too, and
wholly taken up with the politicians, like
his ''illustrious predecessor, there was nothing
brilliant or fascinating in the social admins
tration of Van Buren, except his splendid
rig from top to toe, his shining hat and boots,
his glittering state chariot and his royal table.
He was, in fact, federalist of democratic
professions.
General Harrison, next in the White House,
promised better state of things with the
family gathered about him; but he was tor
tured to death in single month by ravenous
Office seekers. His successor, John Tyler, q
widower at first but next happy in the pos
session of a young, beautiful and accomplished
wife, revived the dear, delightful receptions Of
''Dolly Madison" and introduced those pleas
ing summer afternoon promenades, to the
music Of the Marine Band, on Wednesdays in
the Capitol grounds and on Saturdays in the
gardens ofthe White House, south side, look
ing down the broad Potomac almost to Mount
Vernon. Mrs. Polk, strict disciplinarian as
church member, and the young ladies Of her
family in subdued tone, maintained the
social cheerfulness of the East Room estab
lished by Mrs. Tyler. Mrs. President Taylor
modestly withdrew herself from the public
eye and was only once seen by visitor to the
White House, who blundered into her sitting
room and found her seated by the fireplace
knitting stocking and smoking her pipe. But
Mrs. General Bliss, Old Zacks favorite daugh
ter, in her mothers place, did the honors Of
the establishment with the artlessness of q
rustic belle and the grace of duchess.
Under Fillmore, another widower, the social
| glories of the East Room somewhat declined,
although his Excellency was esteemed by the
ladies as a very handsome and charming
man, though not as he thinks old Mr.. Blair,
''the greatest man that God Almighty ever
made" Mrs. Pierce was confirmed invalid,
and so the administration of poor Pierce was
distinguished only for its political squabblings
and blunders. The old bachelor Buchanan,
on the other hand-a devoted ladies' man
with his handsome and amiable niece, Miss
Harriet Lane, as mistress of ceremonies, made
the Presidents receptions remarkably enjoy
| able. Nor can it be justly denied that Mrs.
Lincoln discharged the vastly increased re-
| sponsibilties Of her position as if born and
| trained for it. Mrs. johnson is relieved from
the cares of state by her daughters, Mrs.
| Slower and Mrs. Senator Patterson, who are
universally esteemed as eminently worthy the
distinction they have attained.
This brings us down to Mrs. General Grant.
An unpretending, unambitious woman of the
West, the wife of man who but the other
day was called from his lanyard to put down
gigantic rebellion, how will Mrs. Grant dis
pense the honors that await herr Like the
daughter of good and esteemed citizen and
the wife of a great soldier, bravely and well.
Nay, we undertake to predict that, though last,
she will not be the least in our list of the hon.
ored ladies' of the White House.
The Proposed New Constitutional Amend.