The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-28

who, in recent popular magazine, takes UP
the cudgels against her sex, and, at least to
her own satisfaction, proves that all the
| great things in our civilization have been
produced by men, and that the best and most
distinguished women of the present day are
simply the proofs and products of superior
masculine system. We can not look for such
high culture and inbred greatness IN the
wives of our American Chief Magistrates as
are found scattered through the royal houses
| of the Old World, and for an obvious reason.
| Our Presidents do not inherit their titles
and their places They are never trained
for high offices. In the average the Chief
Magistrate is an accident; there is no Incl
dent of Graded ruler
Mrs. Hancock, who IN all probability will
preside in the establishment of the
next President Of the United States, was
Miss Russell, of st. Louis. She is a woman
of fine physique and beauty of face. She is
several years younger than her husband,
who is nearly fifty-seven. The pictures of
her, taken some years ago, before the death
of her only daughter, whose loss was severe
blow to her, are very pleasing. Neither
sorrow nor time, however, have altered her
much, and the Mrs. Hancock of to-day is
charming. She is slightly above the medi-
UNI height, and has winsome way of her
own, which nobody who comes in contact
with her tries to resist.
And now / close these sketches of the
ladies of the White House, the wives or
daughters or relatives of the twenty eight
Presidents of the United States since 1889,
those elected by the people to that high office
and those filling the vacancies caused by
death. The following to tribute Mrs Hancock,
the hostess at Governors Island, New York,
will show how she is estimated by one of
her own sex, and how, in the event of the
choice of her husband to the Presidency, she is
qualified to walk in the footsteps of her
predecessors:
cit has been my special privilege and
good fortune to have known for many years
Mrs. Hancock the wife of our distinguished
General, and l can not resist the influence
that inspires present meditation to add my
tribute to character combining such rare
excellence OF heart and mind. Possessed of
intelligence and perception of an unusal
order, quick at repartee, fascinating in con-
versation, of wondrous adaptabilty, compan-
ionable alike to youth and age, she can not
fail to be favorite with all. She is emil
nently fitted to adorn the most exalted posi-
ton to which she might be called. An ac-
complished musician, it was indeed rare
treat to hear her, but this pleasure within
the last few years have not been permitted
to enjoy. Since the loss of her dearly loved
and only daughter much of the sunshine
which frightened her life has departed, leav-
ing upon her face, which has an incompar-
able charm for me lin my opinion is the
surest indication of character) the impress of
a great sorrow; and as l see an occasional
thread of silver in her golden red hair 1
realize IL Ia in truth the sOrrowfill heart that
changes youth to age.
"Transcendent above all else, with this
accomplished and amiable lady, is the kindly
generous nature with which she is richly en-
dowed. Loyal and just, replete with every
noble impulse, she is ever striving to amelio-
rate the condition of others less favored than
herself, heart responsive to every charita-
BILE demand, with words of sympathy and
cheer for earth's afflicted ones, her sympathy
falls like dew upon their blighted hearts. A
mantle of inheritance has fallen on her; the
generous hospitality which characterized her
dear father and mother, and made their
home near st. Louis one long to be remem-
bered, is her special gift. The recipients of
her bounteous kindness, for they are legion,
will renew with heartfelt pleasure the happy
hour she has given, and the cordial welcome
always extended to them. She is, in my re-
gard, the peer of her good husband, and the
embodiment of the exquisite sentiment:
"A perfect woman nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command"
AS Mrs. Hancock and Mrs Garfield study
the twenty-eight lives of the ladies who
came in and passed out with the respective
administrations of this Government, since
Washington's first term, in 1889, they will
gather nothing to discourage them.