Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Republican Simplicity.

not permit the presence of any per-
sons about him whose views or hab-
its in this respect differed from his
own. He was, during his occupancy
of the White House, a plain, unas-
summing gentleman and = true Repub-
lican. His daughters, Mrs. Patterson
aud Mrs. Slower, were notable for
their simple dignity and the posses
sion of the most lady-like qualities.
When they received visitors, their
conduct was as devoid of anything
like "fne lady airs" as it was simple,
hearty and graceful. Mark the con
trast between this picture and that
painted by the New York SIM, one Of
the reporters OF which paper recently
paid a visit to the Grant family. He
says:
"To gain an idea of the change that
has so gradually crept over Us, and
the contrast the White House to-day
presents to the same establishment a
score of years ago, one has but to
make n formal call Of respect upon
the President. No longer does he find
the main entrance standing open to
all c0mers. Even at the very thresh-
old he is reminded that the latch
string does not hang out as in days of
yore. The house of the President is
closed against the common throng.
To be sure the great dignitary may be
seen, but not Is in days gone by, in a
plain, familiar, easy manner. The
visitor must understand at the outset
that he is calling upon no ordinary
parsonage. 4 fiuuky, in full dress,
receives him at the door. All the
parapheruaiia or sWallOW-tailed coat,
white vest and chOker, black trOwsers
and white gloves, with which this OBJ
sequiOus dOOT-keCper astOnishes the
visitor, is designed to prepare the
mind for something more grand and
a~ristOcratic within. The plain citizen
is at once embarrassed and confused.
If the ushers of the President are thus
grandly attired, how may a visitor
approach the august presence in plain
~hOmespun?
"'AIr. Grant receives his visitors with
no trace Of cordiaIity whatever. Or
dinarily, he remains seated ut his
writing table, mods and mutters some
thing ike good morning as the
caller approaches (; listens mOUdilv,
almost abstractediy, to him, As he
states his ease, answers him in mono
syllables, and dismisses him with a
nod and half iuaudIOle good day
These of more than ordinary preten-
siUns who may chance to call, are adj
mitted to the stereotyped shake of the
hands, the President rising and ac-
cOmpanying the shake with some
thing like Pm very glad to see you.
But then he shuts himself up in his
studied ~reticcnce, and listens patient
~, answers briefly, and gets through
the business as quickly Is possible
With "a third class, however, he Is al
together a different person. These are
his Old army companions and such
civilians as have gained his conf
dence. To gain Mr.. Grants conf
dence is an achievement now rarely
accomplished. 1t was easier eight or
ten years ago, and hence the most OF
/ his c0nidants are those who had re-
latiOnS with him when his star began
to rise. Such are received by him
with the utmost cOTdiality and fami-
| liarity. They are relieved from the
examination by Dent, ana arc admit
ted to the presence at any time when
Others are not clOseted with him.
They are saluted by their surnames,
as How r you, Sherman Oh
{ Halo, Smith; glad to see YOU and
so on. When such famlliarS call, nc
etiquette whatever IS followed. Cigars
are usually prOducedat once, and then
follows a free and easy, gOssiping,
storytelling conversation. And us
the smoke becomes thick in the room,
aud the familiarity attains its hight
Mr.. Grant becomes the most piIabie
person imaginable. All reticence and
stoIidity are laid aside; he talks rs
freely as anyone; tells as good a story
as the best, and will promise anything
that may be asked of him.
Mrs. Graut receives her familiar
friends in her private bOudOir. More
formal callers are ushered in the Red
ParlOr. To see the wife of the PresI.
dent is an undertaking of nc small
moment. The army OF richly-dreSsed
servants that ill the mansion, are in.
structed to admit no N until a card
is presented to Mrs. Grant. And theI
il IS required that the applicant fol
the honor OF paying bis respects to the
wife of the President shall either Dt
accompanied by some n already en-.
loving the acquaintance OF the hostess
or have been previously presented t
her. The caller, moreover, must ap
pear in full drees.
"In his domestic relations, the Pres
ident is treated with the utmost defer
ence and respect. Mrs. Grant insist!
chat whatever may be tho proper no
mage for him to receive on public oc
casions is none the less proper in thu
privacy of bis own family circle. Thu
he is always addressed as Mr.. Presi
dent. and referred TO as the President
and the servants are strictly enjOineC
to observe this mark of distinction
On state occasions, the President, 0
course, with the most distinguished
lady guest, leads the way into tn
dining room. Butthis strict etiquett'
is by no mems confined to such sol
emn occasions. Should a friend Of tn
President, however intimate he nigh
be, accept an invitation to dine so
ciaIly, and venturing upon his init
macy, presume to forget the prefer
enee to which the President is emit
tied, he would be reminded Of it
Thus, when dinner is announced, the
guest will offer his arm to Mrs. Grant
aud move forward. Mrs. Grant check!
him with a polite bow toward her hus
band, and the remark, The Presiden
goes first So at the table; the Presl
dent is first served, and then thOs'
who sit at meat with him. Andsthi
rule admits of no variation under an.
circumstances.
"But not the least attractive featurr
is the stunning liveries of the Nubiai
coachman and his worthy coadjutOr
who occupies the position of fOotman
The coats are of a rich olive brown
with broad lappels, cuffs and poke
cover. the whole p%rOfusely coverei
with bright silver buttons, the size 0
an old American silver dollar piece
The gorgeous top boots in which thu
feet of these worthless are encased, rem
der attention to the character of thi
pantaIoons unnece sga-y. Black stove
pipe hats, with broad bands and silveI
massive silver buckles, adorn tn,
heads Of these serYants0 of Presidential
grandeur, and complete their outfit
All the carriages bear the initials u
4 S. c. in monogram on the panels"
And this is Republican simplicity
in the year of grace 1870. AT this rate
of~progression, what viii be the style
of the President in 1900?