The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-01-03

inEton all hollow there IS no accounting for
our modern style Of thinking, and it is consid-
cred something OF a joke TO presume to speak
Of eur late pater familias in that of hand way.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
Has any one who was ever connected with
either branch Of the service thought of what
little chance the men who have attained dis
tincti0n in their calling upon the water nave
to obtain political prominence2 The c0un-
try is over 100 years old, and we have had
a po0diy number of Presidents who served as
soldiers in the army, but not one who served
IN the navy. Can anybody say why this fact
obtains Among the soldier Presidents who
can be named from memory are Washington,
Monroe, Jackson, Harrison, Pierce, Taylor and
Lincoln who was Captain In the Black Hawk
war, with Grant, Hayes and Garfield IN the
late rebellion.
Now the question of why the land people
should be selected to govern the country in
stead Of the tars, is a question l cannot and do
nOy propose 10 answer; but simply ask the
readers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE to point
out more than two people who were connected
with the navy who have ever even been men
toned rs possible or probable candidates,
Il simply appears that men who nave had
command of armies, or have participated IN
great struggles for National existence on the
land have been rewarded for their services to
a greater extent than those who followed the
water
The readers of our paper can form their own
conclusions regarding this fact, for fact it is,
aud we cannot and will not try to lind s0Iu-
ton OF the matter; but such is the case.
CAPT. ISAAC BAssETT's GOLDEN WEDDING.
Capt. Isaac Bassett Assistant Sergcant-at-
Arms of the United States Senate whose patri-
archal figure has been noticed by visitors to the
Senate Chamber for many years, and who was
recently given an ovation upon reaching the
57th anniversary of his advent into the public
ST rvicG celebrated his golden wedding last week.
Elegant presents were received from all the
Senator'S, and other distinguished friends all
over the country who have known Capt Bas-
sett in years gone by. As the Captain has held
his position for more than half century,
and been retained by both political parties, 1t
is evident that he has many friends among
politicians and public men generally. HIS
house was He'd with the older residents of this
city, the gathering being distinguished from
thar which usually thTougs the formal society
receptions of Washington. Mrs Cleveland sent
a beautiful bouquet to Mrs. Bassett.
Capt Bassett was born in the District of
Columbia, where he has lived for " threescore
years and ten" He was baptized In the Pres
byterian Church when but a lad of Is, and has
remained consistent member of that church
for nsre than % years. He married Miss Ade-
laide Hurdle at 10 be at the time being only IS.
lie was appointed q rage III Tue oBLidbb Dg
Daniel Webster at the time that John O. Cal
houn was tie Vice President of the United
States He has by faithful service, been adj
vsnced step by step 70 his present position, and
has the highest respect of all who know him.
Capt. BasSett has always been found statue-like
in his niche during his 81 years of service.
Two wars have shaken the foundations of the
Capitol during this period, yet the silent and
grim sentinel has not for a single day abandon
ed his post of duty. The best thing that can
be said Of him is that, though his opportunities
have been great, his name has never been con-
nected in any manner whatsoever with any job
berry, either political or otherwise.
A SOLDIERS BANQUET.
Seventy comrades of the Union Soldiers Al
lance sat around the banquet table at Freunds
Cafe last Saturday night and exchanged war
stories. toasted regiments, brigades and corps,
ana listened TO q number of good speeches.
The Alliance is a social organization, COM
posed Of Union soldiers. residents OF the Dis
trict of Columbia. and is limited to 100 men,
bers 1t is non-poitcal, and beneficial in so
FAR as it pays the funeral expenses of deceased
members.
The following toasts were offered and re-
spanded to: The President of the United
States" S. s, Burdett; "0ur Annual Reun-
IONS" J. n Edgar; Our Fallen Comrades"
drank standing and in silence; The Army
and the Navy" +. 4. Butts; Our CountrE,"
B. 7. Janney; The Loyal Women" f. w.
Mitchell; The Press" John McElrOy; The
GAR" John Cameron; The Loyal Civil
ians,n T. G. Butterfeld
The guests of the evening were: Capt
George :. Anderson and Capt. L. g. Carter, u.
5. A.; Col. Greene Clay Go0dloe and DR.. Grim
stead.
WHAT SHE HAS TO Do
The secret OF the executive ability of Mrs.
T1g,- .l, ad
By the lords of creation, is illustrated by a cir
cumstance related to me by Mrs. Whitney.
Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Logan planned and
1 furnished their beautiful homes at the same
time. They both have excellent taste, and
/ they both had free permission from their liege
lords to exercise il, with this difference: while
/ Secretary Whitney could put unlimited means
at his wifc's disposal, Senator Logan was COM
/ paratively poor man. and his wife must neces-
/ sarily limit her taste according to her means.
Mrs. Logan is very fond of the rich old fur
nishings Of the past, which command such fab
/ ulous prices when they are rare and well-pre-
| served. Mrs. Whitney also made use of that
! craze by way Of variety in the construction
4 and adOrnmcnt of her ballroom and her din
| ing-room. This latter is most beautiful. In
the first place. to enlarge it TO correspond with
her style of entertainment, she had the back
| wall removed as much as possible, to throw a
/ wide piazza in the rear which was walled up,
into it and this necessitatsd leaving enough of
the original wall there to strengthen the build
ing above, which was done in the shape of a
massive arch. that gave the room peculiarly
medieval look, which suggested TO the Secre-
tary and his wife the antique style in the fur
nishing This they did, even procuring an
/ exquisite piece Of gobelin tapestry, which, ac-
c1rdiug to the date worked i'll the center, Is the
I oldest IN America.
This is hung behind, and above, massive
sideboard Of mahogany, with brass mountings
and the whole room is rich in rare old furni-
ture in due course of time Mrs Logan came
10 see Mrs Whitney, and of the whole house
this room pleased her most.
This IS what I would like to dol" she said
il an ecstacy Of admiration, and not one parti,
Gle of envy Her mind is altogether too big
for that, said Mrs. Whitney.
After awhile Mrs. Whitney returned the
visit and Mrs. Logan's matchless judgment
management and general executive ability
had, with the aid OF very modest supply OF
money, wrought a result that makes Calumet
Place one of the most beautiful homes in Wash.
ington." continued Mrs. Whitney. came
much nearer the narrowing influence of envy
than she did, assure you; for woman who
can make so much out Of so little IS a Iegiti
mate subjec, Tor a really generous envy.
gazed with wonder, and at last expressed my
uu5ouuded appreciation IN two words, How
beautiful
Mrs. Logan, whose ideal was so much higher