Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-11-25
The Social Color Liue.

We are gradually getting worked up and
educated to a federation Of things our preju'
dces once taught US were not obstacles, but
| impo;sbilltie7.
We remember the opposition during the laio
civil war to arming the negroes, although 1t
was admitted that a Confederate killed by
black was Just as dead as if shot by white
| man. And it WAS known, ou the contrary, that
| if the armed negro was slaughtered, lostead CT
| 4 proud ard more valuable Aoglo' Amerlcar'
| the satisfaction was general and conclusive
among the whites.
Agaip. what bitter opposition there was TO
giving citizens Of African descent the right to
vote. And this, although the men most bitter
| in their opposition, were to realize largely on
the change.
| Through ail, however, iU19 tho soemu r.
| solve that socially the color line should be ISe
served. No miscagcna!!on Tor u7. No social
equality Tor the delicate and roEacd men aud
women OF our race.
But gradually ;hc color line is being wiped
out in this respect also. 10 day Senator Bruce
fetches lis bride TO Washington, and. opening
his house on Capitol Hill, calls 90 the female
end OF the Government to Gail and take Mrs.
Seoator Bruce by the hand
"Scott's VIA ha whom Bruce has lee
II many political fight look apziousiy to see
whether their leader and his accomplished lady
will be recognized as social equals at the ma
ticnal capital.
1t is rumored that Senator Bruce he's received
assurances. 1t is said that not only will seua-
tors wives and ladies of tho Cabinet call on
Mrs. b., but Mrs Hayes will invite her to re.
ceive with her at the Executive Mansion. 1t
this be so, We trust that Mrs. Senator Bluoe
will not ALLOW herself to be tempted into chicken
salad and milk for refreshments. We are told
that this combination, so productive CT collie.
has sent people doubled up from the White
House, yowling like lnGians. A hint TO the
charming Mrs. b. is enough.
But if Mrs. Senator Bruce receives with the
first lady of the land, as Ruff Ingalls, put 1t on
white satin, may not our excellent colorcd
| friends Of the District call? Eh why n0tP
When Fred. Douglass was appointed mar
sha for the District it had been the duty of his
predecessors to Introduce at the White House
Ievees Fred. is socially ambitious, and he net
only employed MarDi to teach him how to
bow, but was wont to frtquaut the Senate gal
Iery tha5 he might study Lord Roscoe Conk-
ling, The President, with dextcrou5 t1uch
OF diplomacy disappointed Ffed. by cutting on
tho presenting pars OF his duties:
Nov, however, The creme de ia creme CT The
Executive N auslon-not the Milk gwen the
quests after ti.h-takts the thing 10 hand, aud
we are oiacc the IGu,Ic-thc music OF the unl0t'
between whites and blacks )lGSA. CupHn!.
Senator Bruce, who has becu travelling IA
Europa with lis bride slGce his marriage IL
Juae, IL expected to arrive here sooD. and has
engaged handsome residence on Capitol HUI
| fer the reminder OF lis Senatorial term. which
expires 90 the 4.h OF March, 1881.
/ There is some socia! agitation here with ~
gard to the manner 10 which Mrs. Bruce will
be received hy the twails Of Washington. Shn
is lady Of fre personal appearance, au octo'
roop, and is perhaps better educated lhau
most of the women who iutcnd TO snub her II
she presumes to enter society. She was 4
school teacher in Cleveland, but her husband
| has sufficient wealth TO gratlty any taste she
| NAV have 10 the way ct personal adornment
and it is whispered that q wardrobe purchased
| by her 10 Europe would b, p7ized by any OF our
bellies.
It is requirement Of social etiquette here
that a the C.ti1ct ladies' and the wives ol
Conerts;m ;men sha make the first call upoa
Senator 5 wife, and the wives OF the oder sea
| ators always make the appr0lch to an ncquha
| tapco with the wives 6f new Senator'S
The ouly co!orcd Senators vile who ever
a.lcmp ptad so entrance to Washington society
was tlrs. Plochback, Fix years ago. and belug
both beautiful ard accomplished. shc was not
ouly treated with clvillv but made quito
lion, ss.- Wash. Cor. Chtc1yo Inter Oeen".