The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-28
Grant Refuses to Dance.


The professional people a. Washington are
very much disgusted because Grant has ex-
pressed a wish that the customary ball given
on the occasion OF the Presidential inaug ura-
tion be omitted He has put that wish in
the tolm OF letter OF request; aud as q con-
sequence, the ball will not take place. IL is
quite time that ihase Inauguration balls
should be omitted. However significant and
elegant they may have been in the earlier
days of the republic they have degeuerated
sadly of late. They nave long heen literally
catchpenpy affairs disgusting TO everybody
save those concerned il them pecuniarily; but
so long as the Pres dent elect permitted him
self to be used for the occasion, '!sOciety" has
had to recognize them. Mr.. Lincoln, though
personally holding such affairs in contempt,
was too good -natured to say "no'' to the
managers, and ball was one of the events
attending his inauguration.
One of that class of persons who are tole-
rated in good society because they are dancing
men, and who for that reason are as essential
at balls as walters are in the dining-room,
once asked Mr.. Webster why he never
waltzed, to which the statesman responded:
-"I never had brains enough to learn
how.' 1t is needless to say that the 'god-
like" fell immensely in the estimation of the
dancing fraternity. General Grant has un-
questiOnably been voted as wanting in a
| knowledge of social requirements by the
| same class OF persons.
The fact is, these Inauguration balls have
for many years been nothing more than local
| speculations, got up by few individuals. The
real parties generally are a livery stable
keeper, the proprietors of two or three wine
and LIQUOR establishments, one or two fashion
able tailors, and one or two restaurant keepers.
| These parties have been accustomed to meet
together, and, selecting an officer of the army,
an officer of the navy, an officer OF the Senate,
and one of the House, and some personal
friend of the President have admitted the
latter to the inner circle, as partners OF the
real proprietors of the ball. These then select
the long list of ornamental managers,
| embracing the most eminent names
of the country, and, having got the
President elect to promise to attend
that ball, they are enabled to kill of all
competition. The ball itself is never anything
but a full dress exhibition, at which every
body who can raise money enough to bay
new clothes and hire hack attends for two
or three hours in vast crowd, and has the
satisfaction of catching glimpse OF the new
Pre- sident passing through the hall. Instead
of a grand ball, distinguished for the ele-
gance and refinement OF the guests, these
affairs have for many years been nothlng
but miscellaneous gatherings, at which all the
adventures of both sexes, all the gamblers,
thieves and pickpOcllets assemble in thell
full strength. Such ball yields the limited
number of real prOprietors large profit.
Grants refusal to bs a party to such pre-
ceedipg, though it is against all precedent,
does him infnite credit, and will make it al
easy task to his successors to do likewise.
We have DO doubt that there is not re
! spectacle person at Washington, who has eve
witnessed one of these Inaugural balls, but il
heartily glad of Grants refusal, and who doe
not cordially approve it. The sbarpers abou
Washington, who have been accustomed T.
use the new President for this quadrennia
speculation, will feel very much disguised a
, Grants conduct, but they will find that tn
new President will be equally fearless and in
dependent in all things, and that speculator
and jobbers, whether on small or large scale
, will find him at all times peremptorily rc
tusing to dance at their request or at thei
bidding.