The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-01-20
United States Laws Regarding Dress.

In 1917 the United States had a uni
form designed to meet the usages of Eu-
ropean courts, Oh the Recommendation
OF the mission to Ghent in the year 1917,
in which the United States Ministers
costumes were fixed as follows: A blue
coat, lined with white silk, straight
standing cape embroidered with gold,
slngle-breasted, straight or round but
ton-holes, slightly embroidered. Buttons
plain, or If they can be had, with the
artillerists eagle stamped upon them, i.
e., an eagle flying, with wreath in his
mouth, grasping lightning in one of its
talons. Cuffs embroidered in the man
ner of the cape, white cashmere
breeches; gold knee-buckles, white silk
stockings and gold or gilt shoe-buckles.
A three-cornered chapeau bras, not so
large as those used by the French, nor
so small as those used by the English,
black cockade to which an eagle was
afterward attached. Sword, etc., cor
responding.
The Secretaries of Legation had the
same costume, with the exception that
their coats had less embroidery chan
those of the Ministers. Fol the grand
gala days at court, where the occasion
was greater than an ordinary levee, a
coat similar to that above described, but
embroidered round the .kirts and down
the breast as we'll as at the cuffs and
cape was recommended The coats were
distinguished as the great and the small
uniform A white ostrich feather, or
plumet was recommended for the Min
lster's hat not standing erect, but sewed
round the brim.
The above dress prevailed from the
date of its promulgation on November 6,
1917, until Governor VIM. L. Marcy in
1858, issued a circular doing away with
such uniforms in o great degree, as fol-
lows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, June l, 1858.
ln addition to the Personal Instructions
to the Diplomatic Agents of the United States
to Foreign Countries the following are here
after to be observed:
In performing the ceremonies observed on
the occasion of his reception, the representa-
tive Of the United States will conform so far as
is consistent with just sense of his devotion
to republican institutions, to the costume of
the country wherein he is to reside, and with
the rules prescribed for representatives of his
rank, but the Department would encourage, as
far as is practicable without impairing his
usefulness to his country, his appearance at
court in the simple dress of an American citi-
zen. Should there be cases where this cannot
be done owing to the character of the foreign
Government, without detriment to the public
interest, the nearest approach to it compatible
with the due performance of his duties is earn
estly recommended. The simplicity of om
usages and the tone of feeling among our peo-
pie is much more in accordance with the exam
pie Of our first and most disguished representa-
tive at Royal Court than the practice which
has since prevailed 1t is to be regretted that
there WAS ever any departure in this respect
from the example of DR.. Franklin. History
has recorded and commended this example, SO
congenial to the spirit of our political institu-
| tions The Department is desirous of removing
all obstacles to return to the simple and unos-
| tentatious course which was deemed SO proper
| and was 30 much approved in the earlier days
| of the Republic 1t is our purpose to cultivate
| the most amicable relations with all countries,
| and this, We believe, can be effectually done
| to depart in this respect from what is suited to
| the general sentiments of our fellow-citizens al
| home All instructions in regard to what is
| called diplomatic uniform or court-dress being
| Withdrawn, each of our representatives in other
| countries will be left to regulate this matter
| according to his own sense of propriety, and
| with due respect to the views of his Govern
| ment as herein expressed. w. L. MARCY"
In an act of Congress approved March
27, 1867, it was declared that officers
| who had served during the late war as
| volunteers in the army of the United
| States, should be entitled to bear the
official title of their rank, and wear, upon
occasions of ceremony, the uniform OF
the highest grade they had held by bre-
vet or other commissions.-Ne York
| CZOthier.