Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-01-28
the Woodworking citizens of this boorish

THE NEW ERA.
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 a formal call re-
spect upon the President. No longer does
he find the main entrance standing open
to all corners. Even at the very threshold
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
dlgnltary may be seen, but not as in DAYS
gone by. in 81 plain, familiar, easy man
ner. The visitor must understand at the
outset that he is calling upon no ordinary
parsonage. tlunky, in full dress, re-
celves him at the door. All the parapher-
MALTA of sWallowtailed coat, white vest and
choker, black trousers and white gloves,
with which this obseGuious door opener
astOnishes the visitor, is designed to pre-
pare the mind with something more grand
and aristocratic within.
THE PRESIDENT 8 AUDIENCE CHAMBER
The audience chamber of the President,
like the ante rooms and apartments of the
secretaries. has been transformed from
the plain, modest, though beautiful room
IN which Mr.. Lincoln was content to per-
form his official duties, into magnificent
gllded saloon, presenting, it must be &C
knOwledged, more taste and skill in its
adOrnment ana commentator than the
others, but still Over-tawtlry and snowy III
the general effect produced. Everything
IN the room, aside from its frescoing, is
rich and beautiful.
TIE CHIEF EXECUTIVES STYLE OF RECEIVING.
MIR. Grant receives his visitors with no
trace OF cordially whatever, Ordinarily
he remains seated ut his writing table;
mods ana mutters something like good
morning" as the caller approaches; listens
moodily, almost abstractedly to him as he
states his case; answers him i'll monOsylla-
blcs and Gisnlisses him with Il nod and
half inaudible good day" Those of more
than ordinary pretenSions, who may chance
to call, are admitted to the sterotyped shake
ofthe hand, the President rising and accom-
panylng eshake with something like ''I'm
very glad to see you" But then he shuts
himself up IN his studied reticence, and
listens patiently, answers briefly and gets
through the business us quickly as posi-
bic. With a third class, however, he is
altogether different person. These are
his cid army companions and such civil
ians as have gained his confidence. To
gain Mr.. Grants confidence is al achieve
ment now rarely accomplished. It was
easier eight or ten years ago, and hence
the most of his confdants are those who
had relations with him when his star be-
gan to rise. Such are received by him
with the utmost cordially and familiarity.
They are relieved from the examination
by Dent, and are admitted to the presence
at any time when others are not closeted
with him. They are saluted by their sur
names, as g How are you, Sherman % or
''Hallo, Smith-glad to see you," and so
| on. When such familiars CALL no etiquette
whatever is followed. Cigars are usually
produced OF once, and then follows free
and easy, gossipping, storytelling CONVEX
sation. AS the smoke becomes thick in the
room, and the familiarity attans its height,
Mr.. Grant becomes the most pliable per-
son imaginable. All reticence and stolidi-
ty are laid aside he talks as freely as any
one tells as good a story as the best, and
will promise anything that may be asked
of him. There are but few persons who
enjoy this close acquaintance with Grant,
and they are very fortunate. Still fourth
class is composed exclusively of solid men,
men who are supposed to be able to draw
their checks for fabulous amounts the
Stewards, Bories, and such like financially
great men Of the country. To these the
President accords the most gracious recep-
ton. On the announcement OF their names
he hurries TO greet them, and himself at
tends to offering them seats. Their calls
slightest sense bore. To them he is cor
dial to subserv1ency.
THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
Having observed the innovations and
changes in the east end or business portion
Of the Executive Mansion, it may not be
amiss to take glance at the other parts of
the establishment. Bowling ourselves out
| of the Presidents presence, and descend
IN on oil -foc cfo tn a
gOrgeously -frescoed vestibule, we approach
| the magniticently dressed usher, and ask
! permission to see the bOuse. We are pO-
! IiteIy shown into the famous east room,
and there told that, by order of Mrs.
! Grant, the rest Of the house is not open to
| sight-seers. Neither the red room, the
green room, nor tho blue room can be
seen, except on fete occasions, or under
| the formidable ceremonies of call upon
| Mrs. Grant. In the east room no change
! is apparent from it's old-time stately sim
| plicity, beyond the Introduction Of pOr-
traits Of the ex-Presidents, which now very
appropriately adorn the walls, having been
collected for that purpose from various
rooms throughout the mansion and from
! other sources. And as this room has been
written about and described until the sub
! iect is as threadbare as the carpet on the
floor, we turn away Disguised at the new
| tangled notions which close the best parts
Of the historic establishment from the in
spcction of it's owners.
| FORBIDDEN GROUND.
! The range of parlors stretching along
| the back Of the mansion from the state
dining room to the east room have always
been free TO visitors until the present time.
Why they should be closed now is incom-
prehensible, the more SO since Mrs. Grant
has caused to be provided new parlor up
stairs for her use, and makes no pretence
of occupying either the red, blue or green
parlors for any domestic or family pur-
poses These three rooms retain the same
furniture as formerly, and the walls have
the same coloring. The floors have been
covered with new carpets, beyond which
they are precisely as Mrs. Patterson, Mr..
Johnson's excellent housekeeper left them.
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