The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-27
Washington Letter.

We often hear references to the "old
families" Of the District of Columbia,
but who or what they are is difficult to
understand without making the matte
something of a study. 1t seems that
these people are neither wealthy, edu.
Gated, nor a,istocratic in the common
acceptance of the term, but are exclu-
sive and retiring, moving only in clques
and taking care not to enlarge their
circles. They are very largely the fam
lies of retired army and navy officers,
who nearly always appear to prefer
Washington as permanent home to
other parts of the country. They are
sound thinking, intellectual class Of
people, who ignore the "transients',
Greatly the great makeup of society here)
even to the highest politicians, residents
of the White House and all. This has
been the usual seeming, but recently the
favorites and supporters of the admins
tration are speaking and writing much
about the enthusiasm with which these
old families are receiving the present
incumbents Of the White House. Some
of these, I should have added above, are
the real old Southern "blood'' families.
OF course all are and should be, glad to
have the public pleased with the family
of our Chief Magistrate.
I can hardly see how one can be in
terested in the President himself, ex-
cept politically. He has no social life,
certainly no domestic life, so long as he
is in the position he now holds. It is
impossible to Judge of ones social quail
tiles by meeting him, taking his hand
and repeating his name at public re-
ception, which is the only way any but
a favored few can come in contact with
him. AS to the other members of the
family at the Executive Mansion, one
may see and talk with them at almost
any hour, for they, too, are public prop
erty and without so much business on
their hands as to make them inaccessi.
BILE. But l doubt if it is possible tc
Judge of persons in such positions how
ever often they are to be seen. I car
hardly conceive how one can appear nat.
ural, having constant knowledge that
any word, look, motion or even slightest
details in dress, are liable to fly owe,
the country and 20 into the press before
an evening is over.
Yet Mrs. Hayes, so strictly watched
and so sharply criticized and comment
ed upon, appears to be not only entirely
at her ease, but leading natural, I'M
conscious domestic life. Not chat sh,
shuts herself up with her family, bu
she always has her children in her pres
ence, and her frequent visitors and call
ers appear in no way to interrupt he,
life or to "put her out" in any degree
Since the warm weather has com
upon US, the family live all over tn
White House, excepting, of course, tn
great East Room. These warm eve
nings the doors stand open all through
the house, the hall and which ever of tn,
parlors the family find coolest are lighte,
and visitors are made to feel as mucl
at ease as if calling at the private resi-
dence of a friend.
Mrs. Hayes possesses in high de
gree the faculty Of making those abou
her feel at home. She is, indeed,
most charming lady. She has that in
describable refinement of politeness i
the presence Of which embarrassment
or anything like an awkward concious
ness, is impossible. She has, like a
the rest of US, her pecuiarities, her ow
ways, and these have made her a goo
subject for newspaper paragraphist
and she has been made the most of b
them.
1t isn't her way to dress showil!
therefore she is old fashioned and dow
dyish. It isn't her "way" to confor,
to every new style in head gear, jumr
ing from a mammoth waterfall to
French twist and high puffs at nj
ment's notice, therefore she combs he
hair down over. her eyes and does it
pug behind. Somebody has latel
written, as if telling remarkable thing
that Mrs. Hayes always calls her hui
band simply Mr.. Hayes, and that sh
never mentions him as the President