The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-07
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
wAsuIsanpS, Jan. 8, 1870

DARLINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
wAsuIsarpS, Jan. 8, 1870.
Eprron USIoS & JounyAL.-It may be. that
many readers Of the JOURNAL would like to take
visit, or make call upon the diguitaries and
look in for few moments upon the fashionable
life Of the city. As we have no seat in the Cab
met, or in the Senate, or in either house Of Con-
gress, nor an officer In the Army or Navy, we
come under the larger class Of distinguished no
demonstrations. Hacks. upon New Years
day, could be easily obtained for SA day. or
about So an hour. As promptness especially
upon such occasions, Is very essential. We found
ourselves at 1890. the hour for reception, OF the
Presidents House. Arriving at the westerly
gate We found large and promiscuous crowd,
gathered, Of all classes Of the people. Precisely
at the hour mentioned, the gates swung open.
and the crowd, both ladies and gentlemen rushed
pell nell towards the White House. As we were
in the rear of thousands Of citizens, by careful
calculation, we found that II would be more than
an hour before we should he in the presence OF
Gen Grant, We therefore concluded to use lit
tie strategy. Deploying to the left, we made
rapid advance and obtained o position at the
left Of the door entrance, few minutes before
il was opened by brilliant coup de main, we
placed ourselves within the surgiug column.
II required no effort upon our part to advance,
the crowd behind us assumed that responsibility
and pressing US into the doorway, we were pro-
jected into the White House, something similar
to a bullet being propelled out OF pop-gun.l
Thanks TO our good fortune, we alighted upon
our feet, passed through the rcd to the blue room
where the President was receiving visitors.
Paying our compliments to the Chief Executive
we passed through the green room, into the IA
nous east room. The President was looking ex-
tremely well. II seemed as though he was sat-
isfed with his work of1S69 md that he had
done his duty and entered upon the new duties
Of 1870 cbeerfally with no shadow Of the past
to trouble, or vision Of the future to perplex.
Vice President Colfax occupies the famous
Sickels residence, within sight Of the Presidents
mansion. and 70 which We now turn our steps.
Arriving at Mr. Colfsx's residence, we find
great numbers passing in and out. Not much
ceremony is needed here. for on such occasions
the Vice President Is sinply Mr.. COltaI. lie
received with the same ease and cordiality as
when Speaker Of the House. In an adjoining
room n table was bountifully spread for the
wants Of the inner man, and to which quite
crowd were paying their respects. saw n
good.looking colored man jostling against an
VI. c., and both enjoying a cup Of coffee. We
tried cup Of the coffee and pronounced It good
and then hurried out to pay our regards TO Sec.
Belknap. A year or two since Gen. Belknap
was stopping at the National Hotel in this city,
for some months, trying to get q situation in the
regular army, but in vain. II was lucky that
he failed, for IL he had received an appointment
in the army he would, probably, never have
been Secretary OF War. But VIC have reached
his residence, and leaving our cards in the hall,
we piss up fight OF stairs TO the receiving
room. Officers IN full dress are quite numerous
paying their respects TO him, who, but few
months since was almost entirely unknown.
Such is the result Of our institutions, no titles by
descent, no rights Of primogeniturc, no landed
aristocracy, but simply this, the right to reach
the highest office or position as citizen.
"Belknap Is a jolly fellow;" so said friend
who was well acquainted with the Secretary and
who introduced us. He is just the man where
red tape binds 80 strongly. Under his admin
istraton there will be GOrdian knots cut, or l
am mistaken. Mrs. Belknap, my friend says,
was dressed in a green gros grain silk with
deep black lace founce, and black lace shawl.
In the room adjoining was a Widespread table,
which was rapidly being depleted by tho con-
noiscurs of cakes, jellies, and the Injuries OF
the day. Taking our cup Of coffee we passed
out 10 visit Mr.. Fish, the Secretary OF State.
Mr.. Fish occupies the former residence Of Ex-
Senator Morgan, and without doubt lives in
more style than any other Cabinet officer, cost
ing, as II is said, some $40, 900 year to run
his establishment. The ceremony was some
what difficult here. rs the name Of the caller
being given TO the servant in the hall, the door
Of the reception room was thrown open, and
with clarion shrillness the name announced.
Passing through the Secretary office into the
we paid our compliments to MIR.
Fish, who Immediately introduced us to his lux
urous table, to which we repaired. The Rus
sian minister, Mr.. Catacazy in full court dress,
with his lady, magni6cently dressed, were en-
gagged In talking with the distinguished Sccre-
tary in broken French. We now repaired to the
Of the Navy, Mr.. Robenson, who al
though keeping bachelor hall, furnished an ex-
cellent table, and received with corliality his
visitors Here, we observed wines, being the
only place where they were set out, that we no
ticed during the day, and which We we're sorry
10 observe, as il was announced that all the cab
met officers would dispense with liquors. Sec
rotary Boutwell,, received in very simple style,
with no display, dispensing with refreshments,
and confirming what may have boon said before.
that the Secretary intends to live within his sal
arr. IL wouli be well, think, IL the custom of
furnishing refreshments would be abandoned,
and I am glad New England set the example
upon New Years cay. 20
Our last place OF note was Nj. Bowen,
Mayor Of the city, AMI at his residence all classes
mingled, white and black together ut the table
with perfect freedom. The Mayor spread an
excellent table. and have no doubt 1t will help
his election the coming spring. IL was the first
time We ever made calls upon New Years, and
we were generally pleased, believing that it is
we'll at times to throw aside dignity and style
that attaches to office, and that all classes can
come together upon IN equality. The weather
MI through the day was quite propitious for the
season, until in the evening, when violent
storm set in, and New Years passed. out with q
driving rain storm. A large number Of callers
were received at the watch house ut the latter
part Of the day, who did not go Of their own
accord, but were escorted 10 that establishment
by the guardians Of peace, owing to the fact, Il
suppose, Of imbibing 50 freely Of cggnog.
- PRESrIss.