The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
THE ETIQUETTE OF COURTS
Gen. Adam Badeau's Recollections Sug-
gested by the White House Reception.
The Etiquette of Democracy Contracted with
That of Monarchy-Acquired Honors
Better than Hereditary Rank.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Con Monday last wit.
messed the White House celebration Of New
Years day. 1t was the first time il many years.
and the spectacle called up q crowd of memo
ries, and criticisms and contrasts. used myself
of old to stand behind the Presidential coterie
on these august occasions, and more than
have helped arrange the etiquettes OF intro
ducton. invited those chose within the
cred Enclosure in the Blue Room, and even sug-
gested points on the awful questions Of prece-
dence and costume. But this time approached
the presence chamber from tho outside, and
took my allotted place in the line Of army off,
GERS. tits true. as I passed the most exalted
station, Colonel Lamont drew me within the
barriers that inclose the privileged few; but
found there mostly Democrats who seemed to
me to look askant, as if wondering what Re-
publican was doing in the very penetraia Of his
successful opponents l trust did not betray
my embarrassment.
Since the days when 1 was at homo ia the
White House have attended many levees in
many lands; have seen the receptions of the
head of the state in republics and monarchies,
and colonies; have gone to courts with the
crowd and in the diplomatic circle, and even by
special invitation; that I looked upon the
American scene with eyes curious to compare it
with foreign experiences had been told Of
the splendors introduced under Arthura reign,
of the elaborate ceremonies and pompous para
phernala that now surrounded the President,
and expected to be awed by the grandeur or
perhaps repealed ny the state different from
the simplicity had known in the days of Lin
coin, and johnson. and Grant
But so far as the ceremony goes, Mr.. Cleve-
land is democratic a. his predecessors. In
deed, I recall occasions whom there was
more observance of punctilio and precedence
than to-day. Years ago. it seems to me. there
longer line of ladies receiving with tho
Presidents wife, and those who came to the
early receptions wore grander toilettes by far
The costumes of the Rentier sex on Monday
positively detracted from tho effect of the spec
tacle. More than half even of the Diplomatic
ladies were in ordinary street gear. This was
the first great contrast with court" the
wives of ENJOYS in bonnet and shawl at the
Presidents house, with the ENJOYS and secre-
ever present themselves in this fashion TO the
head of any European state at An official cere-
mony; yet this has been the usage in Washing
reason or origin for the custom. for etiquettes
always have in the beginning . reason for their
existence, and when the precedent is established
it continues until a modification 10 agreed or
ordered All the same, this fashion is anomalous
and ugly, and if examined, incorrect.
Indeed, II it could be understood that all la
dies admitted before the general reception are
expected to appear without bonnets, and in
something like the toilet they wear on New
Years day at their own houses, the Difference
paid to the President would be more marked,
and the effect of the company certainly far more
brilliant. OF course, then the men would wear
evening Dress they did not very long ago.
MIR. Arthur, I am told, introduced the frock
coat, and, as he has been considered the arbiter
elegantiarum of the White House, the example
has been followed since. But there never was
President who made so many mistakes in Ell.
quetts rs Arthur, and to ipaugurate the frock
coat for ceremony was the most glariug of all.
Before him no President expected foreign MIN
listers to don their uniforms without himself APP
pearing in the full dress of his station. The
omission would DE considered afront
if it occurred at an imperial or roy
are observed. Your Majesty yourself is
nothing but ceremony" said the ambassador
to Louis XIV, when the King declared that some
such matter was only a ceremony. Mr.. Arthur
doubtless thought it was English to wear frock
coats in the morning; and of course it is, but
not at court; not when the head of the state re-
ceives the representatives of foreign countries
on the most formal occasion of the year. When
the American minister goes to a levee in Lon
at tho Queens garden parties at Buckingham
Palace dress coats prescribed for o'clock
in the afternoon OF course. il the President
wears a frock coat the Cabinet follows his ex-
ample, and this year not even the judges of the
Supreme Court wore their gowns. If the idea
was to be democratic and informal, 1t certainly
succeeded. Bnt let hear no more Of the
American court.
For all this criticism is based on the SUPPOSE
ton that to follow foreign forms, aud
there little that was foreign or formal no
ticeable at tho White House on Monday. 1t was
not court, and there was no pretense OF one.
It was the chief magistrate of democracy re.
ernnents accredited to his own; then the judi
cial and legislative branches Of that government
of which he is the principal executive; next the
officers of the army and navy, whom he com.
mands; and then those other Of his fellow-citi-
zens who chose to call. The wife of the Presi-
dent stood by his side to welcome all, and she
= 49, Ia. HsIx~ I'll -. l--~
while q number of personal friends were invited
to witness the official and unofficial procession
as it passed. This is not court Even in the
of the Cabinet ladies there was q
marked and intentional deviation from the rules
observed in palaces. Precedence defed,
and doubtless with purpose; the judges of the
Court of Claims came in before the Senate, and
altogether the President had evidently no de-
sign OF copying the fashions OF q monarchy; he
made this plain.
But with all the democratic simplicity ques-
ton of rank crept in. 1t was very much dis
cussed in official circles in advance, and the de-
cision was the subject of general comment among
land stood the daughter of the Secretary of State
the Secretary being, as every one knows.
widower the young lady. therefore. was placed
above the wives of the other Cabinet ministers;
an innovation in etiquette that was determined
doubtless by the highest authority; for, accord
ing TO the rules of every court or society in the
world the head of the state, like the master of
private house. has the right to regulate the for
mAlites of his own official individual families.
II was in some respects a very American de-
cision, but other accounts might be consid-
cred extremely aristocrat:c in character At
European courts daughters have rank what
ever on account OF the fathers official status;
and in England even wives have no precedencs
On this account. Many time have seen Mrs.
Gladstone utterly neglected at great court cere.
monies whsn her husband as Prime Minister
was hobnobbing with royalty. While the Shah
of Persia was in London there was great fets
in his honor at Greenwich, given by the First
Lord Of the Admiralty. and two thousand guests
were present The royal family attended AMI
q separate table on dais was set for the grand
est personages, among them the Premier; but
upon Mrs Gladstone stumbling along
without an escort half . quarter OF milo from
the dais and very grateful she was Tor the arm
of a secretary of legation, to whom. as he looked
surprised, she explained: The wife OF tho
Premier has no precedence in England"
So far from giving ladies place on account OF
the husbands office. the Queen more than once
has requested the wives of her Ministers to