The Penn's Grove record., 1882-01-14
LErrER.

WAsHMGfoN, JANUARY 10, 1882.
Tie New Year was ushcred in at the
Capital wish The usual ceremonial OF OF
fetal receptions thopgh in a general way
the custom OF calling and receiving
appears to be somewhat on the decline.
The ceremonial of New Years receptions
at the Executive Mansion has always
boen n conspicuous feature Of Washington
social and political life. George Wash
ington first inauguratcd them when the
Presidential residence was located in
New York City, and in those DAYS they
where called "levees," a name that is
still given to them in some circles. But
the receptions Of he present day arc very
different affairs from those Of the early
period of our National history. The
Royal Airs" which came down from
European courts havo gradually disap-
peared in W~ashington's time the strict
est rules OF social etiquette and decorum
prevailed. No motley crowd could APP
proaeh the powdered aud ~bevicged pres
ence. The President of the United States
was an august parsonage. His reccp-
tions were not for the vulgar. None
came who had not the right to come by
official station, or who were not entitled
to special privileges by reasons of estab-
lishcd merit and character; and one could
10 more venture into the presence of
George and Martha Washington On that
day in any other than full dress, than
one coul now in plain cloShcs obtain IN
audience With the Queen of England.
But these affairs have become thorough
ly Americanizcd, beginning with the
time of General jackson, who, to empha-
size his Democracy, served a great cheese
in the East Room of the White House on
New Years days, fragments of which
were trampled upon the floor to the ruin
of the carpet and disgust of those aristo-
Gratis who dislike ''the rabble." And in
those days, too, there was cider in the
cellar. In our days ''citizens genera Ivy
are admitted to the White House, and
one can not only see prominent business
men and society leaders from ali parts of
the country, but side by side with he M,
and sandwicled in among them, arc the
colored men who open the doors at the
Departments, and the still humber class
of persons who attend the stalls at the
market. The threadbare and tattered
waterproof of the laboring woman brush
es roughly against the silk of the modern
belle. No distinctions are made at the
Presidents door. The only discrimina-
ton as to incomcrs within the peoples
hours isthat which prevails in horsc-cars
Drunk and disorderly not admitted"
1t is doubtful if the founders of our Gov
eminent, who still chung to some of the
ceremonies and dignities of aristocratic
Europe, ever contemplated establishing
such a thorough Democracy as our Amer
lean Republic has come to be.
The official part of the reception at the
White House is stately enough, however,
and this year was no exception to the
rule. There was first the grand panora-
ma of foreign diplomats, army officers,
Cabinet officers, Supreme Court judges,
and officials generally, marching into the
music of the Marine Band, always station
ed in the main vestibule on such occa-
sions. The diplomatic corps is a promi-
nent feature in the social life of Washing
ton, and, a central figure ON all state oc-
~casions, is made conspicuous by its tinsel
and flummery. The snowy uniforms of
foreign counts parade the parlors of the
White House with as much ~ostentation as
may be seen in the official presence of
Kaiser William or the Gar Of Russia.
President Arthur passed through his first
reception whit same quiet grace with
which he does everything. His manner
was digniiied though agreeable and easy,
and to ~well-known persons or his own
particular friends he was very cordial
He impressed every one with the polish
of his manners, but as if the cares of
state weighed heavily. The housed old
being still i'll mourning, the occasion WIS
not given the usual festive nature, hence
the gas was not lighted, the blinds being
thrown open to admit the sunlight. The
floral decorations were the simplest /
have ever seen on such occasions
Congress will not do much for a week
yet. Among the first thingsi it ought to
do is to provide for the payment of the
Census clerks who have been in the hands
OF ten per cent. sharks for six months.
Most of them nave been Obliged to get
their certificates of time casheu at n heavy
discount, because they could not live with
out the money, but a few still hold them.
There is . disposition on the part of some
Congressman to e~ritieise tine financial
management of the Census Bureau, and
to charge that Gcn. Walker, the late SUI
perintendent, was too liberal in expcnd-
ing the fun Is for unnecessary clerks; but
il anybody is to blame for this it is Con-
gress mel themselves who urged the
appointment of most of the in~competents.
a Fart of F~orepaugl's circus is in town.
travelling as a Humpty Dumpty theatre
cal show. But the circus the people of
Washington are waiting for is Gui'eau's
hemp matinee" And IL is surely COM
ing. The trial will o end, and those
who have watched its progress are fully
convinced that there is no longer any
danger of a chung" jury. The miserable
scoundrel who has been playing such a
desperate part is the one who will surely
be hung,
DON PEDRO.