Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-01-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Irrom our Regular oorscspondent.l

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 1882.
II Christmas day was tame and quiet Mt
the Capital we found a contrast in New
Years day, which was a gay and festive
social occasion. Nowhere else, perhaps,
is the day more generally observed than in
Washington. The official receptions and
the appearance of diplomatic and army
and navy officers in court dress and uni-
forms lend added charms and special at
fractions to the social greetings customary
here as elsewhere. The New Years recep.
tion at the White House is always looked
forward TO by residents of the Capital, and
the many strangers within its gates, as the
social event OF the season. Ii WAS never
nshered in with greater expectations than
this year and the festivities never opened
more gaily, only to be brought 10 sudden
and sad termination by the advent of
death. 1t is the old sad story of human
life: Sunny skies and happy hearts in the
morning, the fullness OF busy, social inter-
and clouds at night-tle year in a day
the gamut OF human heartstrings, MP and
down. just ps thousands Of people gath
cred about the White House TO walk in
aud extend holiday greeting to their
chief maglstrate,a a foreign minister-Mr.
Allen, of the Hawaiian Kingdom-drops
dead in the hallway, and the gates are
closed. Thus the truth is ngnin illus.
lrated that where life and happiness If,
| there death is also.
Everybody in Washington was anxious
to attend the Presidents reception on
| Monday, not only to greet the President
himself, but TO see the new Interior deco
ratiOns of the mansion, of which much has
been written, but which few hive ms yet
seen. II was said that the free American
citizen who entered the White House TO
pay his respects would have reason TO feel
prouder of the old mansion than ever be.
fore. Several Of the rooms have UNDER
gone complete transformation and the
beauty and harmony of furniture and sur.
roun dings in now most complete. The
great East room has been greatly changed
and improved, but the greatest transfer.
nation is in the blue room. The colored
man, Smith, who formerly rode on the
box when "Albert" held the ribbons in
President Grants time, says, with a re-
gretful sigh, and good bye expression
upon his lace, 1T is no longer the old
blue room," in way that is farewell TO
old associations with the familiar blue and
gilt that have done service for fourteen
years. The ceiling is decoration mol
costly described, and therefore will always
te beautiful and interesting and study
for the artistic world. But the American
citizen will not grnsp II, nor comprehend
il, beyond the impression given by the
silvery sheen of stars in the frieze, and the
greater simmer Of silver and gold lustre,
oyer his head. He will be impressed more
by the glass screen that separates the corri
dor from the vestibule than by any Other
change given to the mansion. Thirt,
years ago a wooden partition marked th,
corridor where guests promenade and tot
lets are teen to advantage. This CAV,
place to the iron frame work, set will
ground glass panels, pretlily engraved
This in turn is sreplaced by the stained
glass screen recently put up by Mr.. Tiffa
ny, and that is the most effective OF tn
entire improvements. The gorgeousnes
of color that reflects the jeweled Grillianc,
Of the opal, the ruby, the lourmaline, th
topaz, and the rich lines Of amber, give
touch Of royal splcndor; and were il no
for the presence Of the eagle in the greu
!, central doors The American citizen Nigh
fancy himself in II foreign palace, rattle
ihna in ihe old White House that In
I, sheltered Republican rulers ever SINCE il
" occupancy by tie first President. Bu
here the enblematic design will ret hin
: right, aud the beautiful spreading wing
/, ul the bird. sparkling and studded vii
- geuiH, will be understood. aud will be I
y him glory and delight.
General Sherman 10 m niioned by
!" number Of newspapers M the Repuhlica
:, candidate lor the Presidency in 1S8-
4 General Sherman does not want the nom
u natiun. Possibly lie il the only man
/" he United States who does moi care 10
n President. aid who would not permit II
" name 10 be used. lie IL very fond of n
cial enjo,mrni. lie has hnd his fill
fame AID II thoroughly weary ol publ
III ira The slight routine work NJ Il
~ War Department il very irksonie 10 bir
.. 80 that he lonks forward 10 his reiiieme
~ with pleasure. lie would not exclanI
~ the comfort aud honor uf his assured l,o,
y li0n for any rougli.nDd tumble slrngg
* with a sci al politicians fr -, and then,
nr ruccesslui, The exacti0ns and imporlui
- ties would make the White House u "hel
Y. 10 n gentleman OF n temrerameni No n,
4. vohs and irascible m General Shermg
ne ] see that n New York paper prints y,
ugraph saying that General Sherman