Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-01-12
THE SPIRIT OF AGE,
Wednesday, Ian. II, 1881
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Jan. 8, 1881

wAsHISoTos ID. g., Jan. 8, 1881
The ceremonial Of New Years re
ceplions at the Executive Mansion ha'
always been a conspicuous feature o
w ashington social and political life
George Washington first inaugurate(
them when the presidential residence
was located in New York City, aud II
those days they were called "lcvces'
namo that is still given to them IL
some circles. But the receptions o.
the present day are very different al
fairs from those of the early period Of
our National history, The 'Roya
Airs" which came down from Eupro'
pean courts have gradually disappear
ed. In Washington's time the strict
est rules Of social etiquet and decorum
prevailed. No motley crowd could
approach tho powdered and bcwigged
presence. The President Of the Uni
ted States was an august parsonage
Ills receptions were not for the vul-
gar. None came who had not the
right to come by official station, or
who were not entitled to special
privileges by reason of established
merit and character and one could
no more venture into the presence OF
George and Martha Washington on
that day in any other than full DRESS
than one could now in PLAIN clothes
obtain an audience with the Queen OF
England.
But these affairs have become
thoroughly Americanized, beginning
with the time Of Gen Jackson, who,
to emphasize Democracy, served a
great cheese in tho Eass room of the
White House on New Years day
fragments Of which were trampled
upon the floor to the ruin of the car
pet and disgust Of those aristocrats
who dislike ''the rabble." And in
those days, too, there was cider in the
cellar. In our day "citizens general
"" are admitted to the White House
and one can not only see prominent
business men and society leaders from
all parts ofthe country,but side by side
with them, and sandwiched in among
them, are the colored men who open
the doors at the Departments, and the
still humber cluss of persons who at
tend the stalls at the market. The
threadbare and tattered waterproof Of
the laboring woman brushes roughly
against the silk of the modern belle
No distinctions are made at the Presi.
dents door. The only discrimination
as to incomers within the peoples
hours is that which prevails in horse
cars-''Drunk and disorderly not ad.
mited.' 1t is doubtful if the founders
Of our government, who still clung tc
some Of the ceremonies and dignities
Of aristocratic Europe, ever conten-
plated establishing such thorough
Democracy as our lAmercau republic
has come to be. '
This year, though the thermometer
indicated IA degrees below zero the
receptions were usually brilliant
Nothing better illustrates the super
fetal character of social life at the
National Capitol than the ceremonies
Of New Years day. Insincerity and
the hypocrisy of politics extend TO So
c;ety. There are people here, including
some Of the old residents, who have a
trude social existence as it is known
everywhere, but the "great society,"
that BY which Washington is known
is dress parade, social walk-around
in this fashionable winter camp a
sfutile dalliance" of shams and pre-
lenses.
A spirit of earnestness and work is
manifested in Congress since The re-
cess and business has begun to move,
though there is not yet full attend
ance. The appropriation bills are
being put through, the army bill hav'
ing been, passed by the House on the
first day Of reassembling, with only
seven negative votes. The apporton'
bill has been introduced and it
the present temper continues the extra
session may be avoided after ALL.