The Grange advance., 1874-01-14
IT begins to look as if the concentra-

was rapidly creating in this country the
very worst species Of aristocracy-a
money, or shoddy aristocracy. The
doctrine that all men are equal in re.
spect to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness, is already regarded as an old
fogyiism in fashionable quarters, and
that most hateful and abominable doc.
trine of " CASTE is being insidiously ir-
troduced. The plain and simple style
and manners that become a republican
form Of government, that re- in fact, its
chief adornment, are rapidly being SUBJ
stituted by parade: pomp, glitter and
show We warn the people that these
things are fatally inimical to republican
institutions. We give below letter to
the New York Times, on the subject of
exclusive seats for wives and daughters
of Senators and members, and another,
giving description of New Years Day
in Washington, which the writer says
was "passed in an unusually quiet man.
ner." These letters show the drift of
the times toward aristocracy. Let the
people read and ponder.
Grace Greenwood in the N. Y Times
New upholstery, painting and gild-
ing have also made this chamber and
the ante-chamber look bright and com.
Portable; but there is one change which
I must disapprove Of, as undemocratic
and invidious. Choice seats have been set
apart for the wives and daughters of
Senators and members, from which seats,
we, the common people, are stern]y ex-
cluded as from the diplomatic gallery.
This is unjust to the strangers visiting
the capital, who are often crowded in the
other galleries. while those aristocratic
reservations are almost empty. 1t is
my impression that of all the ladies in
Washington: those for whom these gal
leries are set aside, dedicated, tabooed,
are the least given to watching the de-
bates. Perhaps they have politics
enough at home. The wife of a Con-
gresham seldom goes to the Capitol
unless her husband is the hero of the
hour; she goes to see him arraigned
for high crimes and misdemeanors, or
to hear him arraign some other woman s
husband
NEW YEAR DAY IN WASHINGTON.
New Years day passed here in an
unusually quiet manner It was not
observed by receptions and entertain.
ments to the same extent as formerly.
The day opened bright and pleasant,
but soon clouded over, and at 2 D. m. a
cold rain commenced which continued
far into the night.
The official receptions at the execu-
tive mansion, by General Sherman, and
the cabinet ministers, were the chief
features of the day. Never did the
White House presenta more brilliant ap-
pearance than it did to-day, with all the
recent improvements completed. Very
diligently have mechanics and uphol-
sterers worked day and night to have
all in readiness for this important day,
when literally the eyes of the world are
upon the executive mansion. The east
room is a marvel of beauty for just such
an occasion where grand drawing-room
is needed to accommodate the thousands
who call to pay their respects to the
chief magistrate of the nation and his
family.
The ladies of the Cabinet assisted the
President and Mrs. Grant at the official
part of to-day's reception, which COM
menced promptly at II a. m. The
ladies were elegantly attired. Mrs.
Grant and Miss Nellie wore black silk,
trimmed with Grape; Mrs. Fish wore
an elegant Partisan toilette of plain-col-
ored silk, trimmed with light blue !;
Miss Fish, over a rose-colored silk,
which was rufled, wore a pale dove
colored silk over-dress; Mrs. Richard
son wore violet-colored silk; Mrs.
Belknap wore white with chene
stripes and flowers, which had broad
trimming at the back of gray silk;
Mrs. Robson wore mourning; Mrs.
Creswell wore pale shade of peacock
blue silk, elegantly trimmed -; Mrs.
Williams mauve- -colored silk, trimmed
with velvet, several shades darker :;
Mrs. Gov. Shepherd sea rose colored
silk. with overdress of black velvet.
The diplomatic corps in court dress
was the great feature of the reception.