The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-04-29
VOL. g..
Tke 8ulletim.
A TRIUMPH OF DIPLOMACY.
How Mr. Evarts Prevailed Upon MIS-.
Hayes to Let the Grand Duk es

(Don Piatt in the Cincinnati Enquirer)
The town is considerably startled over
the announcement that Mrs. Hayes consid-
ers it her duty to prohibit wine at white.
house dinner-tabie. This demonstration
in behalf OF total abstinence was made at
this dinner. Mrs. Hayes announced that
dinner might go on, but that il should not
DC heightened by wines or liquors OF any
sort.
The honorable secretary of state, who
had proposed the entertainment, was con-
sidcrably shocked. The thought OF TWO
hours heavy eating without wine filled him
with dismay; and to invite two members
OF the imperial family, the oldest, most re.
hned, and exclusive specimens OF royalty
in Europe, TO such an entertainment filled
his diplmatic soul with horror.
To control an administration from a sub
ordinate position Is difficult enough, but
to control the equity or female side OF an
afiair OF this sort Tiled him with dismay.
lie could face returns that elected one man
while he advocated the Inauguration OF an
other; he could teach supple, unprinci-
pied msjOrity of an electoral commission
that the gist OF an election was In the re-
turning board. however corrupt or uncon-
stitutional, and that the ballots OF the peo-
pie were aliunde; but TO convince u woman
against her will, when that woman had
planted her little foot on high principle,
wa- beyond his power.
lie trir Il it, however, lie was forced to
try il. How could he face the diplomatic
forces OF the civilized world after such a
ridiculous affair a. the part proposed:
His diplomacy was equal TO the energ-
ency. lie conferred and avoided. TO
convince a woman must begin by admit
ting that she is right. Nothing so o1ends
the female mind a. TO question Its reason
ing powers Better tell wontn that she
il hOmely and unttractive. She will, in
hat f.ffu ~ and dG. nj
condemnation, but to intimate that she is
weak in l0g gle and, therefore, false in her
conclusions, il to fetch down upon ones
devoted head the wrath OF woman
spurned, that all ages OF experienced poets
anu philosophers tells us is terrible; worse,
ind eed, than spinal meningitis.
The Hon. WIN. NJ. than began by depor-
ing the evil. OF intemperance. lie eulo-
gized Mrs. Hayes for her noble devotion
TO the cause OF humanity, and said II was
the most beautiful spectacle he ever wit
messed. TO see her in her high place setting
an example TO the families OF the nation.
Internal Old diplomatic -camn, he regu-
larry hides more sherry and champagne
within his slender person than any brain
concern the Lore ever set on end Tor
earthly purposes, sndyto hear him one
would suppose Moody, Sankey. Murphy,
and old Observation-Disclosures he was
were rolled IN one. Tears same TO the
eyes OF the ltmilt AJmlHlstIilOH. - W nat
a good, dear man. che thought, sis our
thin secretary Of state; what pity il is he
j. 80 homely ~
But" continued Old Aliunde, "this
dinner j. a compliment 10 foreigners who
DO not understand, and, Of course, cannot
appreciate The high moral nature o. our
American people. TO invite them TO q
dinner so different from that TO which they
accustomed would be considered an affront,
and now that we are on the eve of grave
diplomatic complications in Europe, il
would be well for Us to keep on good terms
with our good friend and powerful ally,
Russia
Mr.. Hayes wavered. From her moral
impulses he had appealed TO her high reas-
oning powers. He had thrown the re-
spon,ibiity upon her.
Letme suggest the way out Of this pain
lul embarras continued the state
department "Let ii be understood that
the dinner j. an exception, because given
TO distinguished foreigners. Hereafter all
state dinners given TO citizens will be with
out wine-and may God Almighty have
mercy on Them" added the secretary TO
himself, and inwardly he swore a great
oath that never, never, under any clrcum
stances, would he risk his life at any such
entertainment.
Mrs. Hayes accepted the compromise
with an amendment, that no wine glasses
were TO be placed at the plate Of her hus-
band, Rutherford B.. or her own, or al
that Of any OF the young ladies, her guests
at the white house.