Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-11-19

ubb ObAainPh tNttl titb w NhNs
could be traced any insinuation agains
her strict apology. The question C
her character was discussed in Cabi
net councils, and before ono meeting
appeared the pastor OF his own church
their difference of opinion in this mat
ter resulting il the future non-attend
ance OF the General. Mrs. Eaton be
came a disturbing element in politics
Probably no other American woman
has ever had so much influence over
political events. Her future biogra
pher, at this period of her career, will
find himself compelled to write Ameri
can history. She is part and parcel ol
the record of two Administrations ac.
lively present during one, and a strong
primary cause OF the other. Mr.. Van
Buren owed his nomination to General
Jaskson, and there is little doubt that
his strongest claim TO the friendship Of
General Jackson was bis cordial recog-
milton of and marked attention to Mrs.
Eaton. General Jackson was in po-
sition to name his successor, and let
ter written by Daniel Webster in 1880,
to personal friend, says; qMr. Van
Burcn has evidently, at this moment,
quite the lead in influence and import
ance. lie controls all the pages on
tho back stairs. and latters what
seems to be at present the Aaron's
serpent among the Presidents desires
"a settled purpose OF making out the
lady. of whom so much has been said,
person of reputation. 1t is odd
enough, but too evident to bo doubted,
that the consequence of this dispute in
the social and fashionable world is pro.
ducing great political effects, and NAV
very probably determine who shall be
successor to. the present Chief Maris.
trate." The Cabinet had become di.
vided into two opposing factions. and
the line of division stretched down
through both Houses of Congress. and
extended through the entire country.
On Mrs. Eaton's side were the Prcsi.
dent, Secretary Of State, Secretary Of
War and the Postmaster General Cd.
posing her were the Vice President,
The Secretary of the Navy and Attor.
ney General. The bitter feeling en-.
gendered ran so high that General
jackson threatened 10 dissolve his Cab.
met unless harmony could be secured.
A temporary peace ensued, but q year
later the Cabinet was dissolved, and
the President appointed Major Eaton
Governor of Florida. General Jack.
sons championship OF Mrs. Eaton. the
letters he wrote in her behalf, tho test
of executive favor which he made her
recognition or non. recognition, are
matters of history. There is still in
existence voluminous correspondence
between the President and the Rev.
DIR. Ely, of Philadelphia. on this sub
jcct. General jackson might have
controlled public opinion, so far as the
men were concerned. 1t was the la.
dies who were mercilcss and utterly
unmanageable. Alter Mr.. Van Buren,
the smoothest and most polite of men,
came TO Washington, he seems to have
fallen at once into the role of stage
manager of this social drama. More
than once he set the scenes for success,
only TO have bis plans frustrated by
the determined opposition. Prime
Minister of the Nation and accomplish
ed diplomat though be wasshe was un.
able to control the decisions of society.
The annals of that day gave graphic
descriptions of balls in which Mrs. Ea-
tons presence in cotillion was sufli-
cient to break il up, and OF suppers at
which the honor of being conducted to
the head of the table by foreign Min.
lister did prevent her from being icilly
ignored by the ladies present. 1t is
an old story that is told OF Mrs. Huy-
gems, the wife of the Minister of Hoi-
land, whom Mr.. Van Buren, had per.
sonally cntreated to consent TO be in
troduced TO the accomplished and
lovely Mrs. Eaton" At a ball and
supper, gwen by the Russian Minister,
both ladies were present, and Madame
Huygens evaded all advances from the
side until supper was announced. She
was then uniformed by Baron Krude-
ner, the Russian Minister, that Mr..
Eaton would conduct her to the table.
She declined and demonstrated, but in
the meantime MIR. Eaton had advanced
and offered his arm. She at first
objected, but TO relieve him from his
embarrassment walked with him TO
the table, where she found Mrs. Eaton
seated at the table, beside an empty
chair for herself. Mrs. Huygens had
no alternative but TO become an instru-
mont of the intrigue or decline taking
supper. She chose the latter, and,
taking her husbands arm, withdrew
from the room" 1t is said that while
/ thn pompapv xvara appoiln1 NJ an