Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-06-25
The Wives Of American Statesmen.

or the PreSldonClal candida eS, IL Is not
easy to define the limits Of the illuminated
circle. No less than ten or twelve of the
distinguished ladies reside here at the cap
ital, each the centre of group Of attract
ed friends. While che merits and graces
of each are sure to be passed upon as in
the light Of possible developments. the
comments are the most kindly; and have
yet to hear an expression Of positive choice
as indicating which above all others should
ed crowned queen.
The wife of Hon. William R. Morrison,
of Illinois, a gentleman who is considered
in the Democratic party a very prominent
'dark horse," is plump and rosy, with dark
hair and animated countenance. This lady
is gifted with that rare, precious quality
which enables its possessof to put every
person around her at ease, diffusing sun
shine and blessing wherever she moves
This talent would be most available in
shaking hands with thousand strangers,
what no queen, except an American queen,
is expected to do. Mr. Morrison's many
friends rejoice in the acquaintance of his
affable and admirable wife.
Mrs. Washburne, lady of French de-
scent, speaking the French language with
fuency, is pleasantly remembered here
since the time Mr.. Washburne was mem.
bersof Congress, and later member of the
Cabinet, during which time he acquired
the fiattering soubriquet of ''Watchdog Of
the Treasury Mrs. Washburne is de-
scribed as petite, dark-eyed, emotional, a
fine conversationalist, an enthusiastic.
warm-hearted friend. AS mistress of a
household she was alert, a faithful mother
of numerous children, vet ever ready to
entertain, on short notice, Mr.. Wash
burne's constituents-and not only so, but
to enter with real zeal into their plans
Her spontaneous benevolence found ample
scope when, as Minister to France, Mr..
Washburne, through that terrible siege OF
Paris, found his hands and heart full in
relieving suffering. In this way the Wash
burnes became endeared to many who
cherish for them profound esteem and
gratitude.
Prominent among the wives of Presi-
Dental candidates we would mention Mrs.
Speaker Randall, a woman who comes from
an excellent family, having fine educa-
ton. Mrs. Randall is rosy and stout, and
in manner quiet and self poised. AS Speak
er's wife. she receives homage quite equal
to that offered to the wives of Cabinet
members and Supreme Judges. Thus ev-
cry Monday during ''the season" there is
fluttering of fashion and gayety around
Mrs. Randall, making just about as much
impression on that lady as would so many
butterflies. Mrs. Randall pursues the high
aim of rendering her home thoroughly
comfortable for her husband and his many
callers. How we'll she ful6lls this holy en-
deavor may be OWNED by the tender word
by which Mr.. Randall always addresses
hers Mother"-as if her gentle influence
reminded him Of a mothers love. The eld-
est daughter, Miss Mary, winsome young
girl, is the special pride of her father, and
the helpful companion of the mother in
fulfilling the rather burdensome social en-
gagements that devolve on the wife of the
Speaker. Mrs, Randall is devoted to the
church of her choice, the Presbyterian.
AS to matters of dress and style Of living,
Mrs. Randall is strikingly unambitious.
Mrs. Blaine is fair-haired, tall, rather
stout, with distinguished carriage and
manner earnest and practical. Sincerely
conscientious, Mrs. Blaine seems to belong
to class Of New England women not al
ways to be met with even among the rug
ged hills, and rarely seen elsewhere. A
beautiful home-life is the result of her
wise management. Already are her sons
in business, and popular in society, and
Miss Alice, the eldest daughter, a beauti-
full girl of eighteen, stands beside her
mother like a younger sister. Though
Miss Mary is home from school, she is I'm.