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


celebrity as a dead King does. l sometimes
think that the process is more hasty and cruel.
Though a king may he dying, he is still King
SIS long rs the breath is in him, and he exercises
every prerOCative to its fullest extent. Beside,
there Is always the possibility that he may get
well and not die after ali.
Readers of that wonderful book, Carlyles
French Revolution, viii remember the mar
vicious picture be draws Of the c0urtlers waiting
around the palace during the last hours OF
Louis Ky. How hey studied the expression on
the faces Of the physicians as they emerged from
the chamber Of the royal invalid. Ii the
doctors looked bright and hopeful, all the cour-
tiers chung closer 20 the doors Of the Kings
apartments and were profnse in their prolers
Of services. III, on the other hand, the ply
sicians looked discouraged, the courtiers h0cked
TO the apartments Of the Dauphin, and in the
slang Of to-day, tried TO make themselves
solid F" with the coming King st last the end
came Tie doctors announced that Louis,
the well-belovcd,' was no more and then
"with the s0uud as the rushing of a mighty
wind" Carlyle says, the c0uTtiers stampcdcd
10 the apartments Of the Kings grandson. each
frantic to be first to hail him King, and con-
graduate him.
A few days later all that was left Of the ssnsu-
ous, selfseeking. dissolute old Louis XIV was
dut In q lead coffin, surrounded by alcohol to
prevent communication Of the smallpox. Of
(which be died and was trundled off through
driving rain, accompanied by but single
priest. TO the tomb of his fathers.
have said before that some of our manifesto
fions seem even more heartless than those
which attend the transfer of the scepter. IL IS
startling Co notice the sudden change In the
atmosphere about q President as soon as II
is certain that he viii not be his own successor
The crowds that flock to see him fall of
perceptby from that moment. His move
ments savings and dongs, friendships and
batreds decline rapidly in Importance. His
mail which before has been estimated by the
wagon load, dwindles quickly TO much more
convenient proportions. This is particularly
true Of such Presidents as Sir. Cleveland and
some Of his predecessors who has but a small
personal following, and whose sole Importance
u tie eyes Of most people was their political
power.
President Arthur's decline began from the
day that Blaine was nominated al Chicago. and
the result of the election only gave i greater
momentum. 1t was then felt that being ms
friend would not be special recommendation
u Sir. Blaine and his friends hut alter the cleo
iiou al Republicans were cngulfed in one COM
mon disaster and there was nothing 70 be ex-
pected from any or for any of that party.
President Clevelaud's descent has been much
more PERCEPTIONS. At noon on the 9th Of No
TemDer-but 81 days ag0-he was in the zenith
Of bis power. He was tie official head Of
69o300J0 people and, il the opinion Of
his saHguine adherents. was certain 10
continue 50 Tor four years aud four
months longer. Gouors, places fat Offices,
social prominence, political distinction were at
his disposal, and would continue 70 be. At
midnight the handwriting appeared or tie
wall. Not only was he defeated. but MS party
likewise. There was c3nYulsive spasm for
Jew days The vanquished throuEcd the White
EOuse 70 get an explanation OF their over
throw auC COud0le together, and then the fall
ing OF began. Daily the crowds al tie White
HOnse dWladied. From looking ike the at
tendance at a popular opera. or 4 baseball match,
they came 10 appear ike church goers on a wet
Sunday. The mail which formerly required a
wagon 10 transport it could now be hauled oG
2 baby-CarTlage by moderately strong girl.
IN October the ordinary caller on business at
The White House had to get into line and wait
bis turn for a few words with the President"
Now be Will be usbered directly into the pres
ence of the potent Private Secretary who viii
really seem glad to see him, as if his coming
was pleasant break in the loneliness, and he
will have no difficulty whatever in obtaining
an interview with the President.
NEW KIND OF PICTURES.
One Of the changes that strikes haunter of
the hotels and streets, and other places Of pub
lie resort IS the rapid change IN the pictures
which greet has eye a few weeks ago, Wher-
ever he looked, he saw pictures photographs,
crayOns. cAromOs and Oi-paintings-of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland. They were in the
shOp-wlndows, on the showcases. os posters,
ornaments 10 public rooms. Mrs. Clevelaad's
picture, particularly, were everywhere done
IN every style Of art, tor sale at all prices. or
given away as an indGcenenU to buyers Of
goods. Her fresh fair face and frank. wide
open eyes stared Al one from cigaret-sgns.
patent-medicine chT0mes advertisements of
articles for the feminine toilet. and SO on. Now
lew are 10 oe seen anywhere. The cigar stands.
book stores and photographers are running
on pictures Of Gen. and Mrs. Harrison The
Others are a drug in the market and can be
bought 10 greatly-redueed figures. / don't
imagine thar ATs Harris0n's picture will ever
have The " run that Mrs. Cleveiaud's has had.
j sincerely hope 10 viii not The constant ap-
pcarance Of more or less skIlifuly executed reD-
reservations Of the FIRST lady in the land .
wherever one moved had a tendency to make
one weary One can see too much even Of d
handsome woman.
HOW TIE PRESIDENT LOOKS.
As Il may be suspected from the course oil
TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE during the past cam.
paign, ] would not be welcome visitor al the
White House, if ] went there, SO / act the part
OF discretion, and stay away. So 1 have not
net the President for many months. Possibly
have lost something by this; bat It is an even
thlug u the President has not lost quite rs
much - have. lam not able to say anything
from personal observation about Mr. CIcve-
lands looks, bus nay friends, who are on better
terIns with ANN, assure me that he Is gettina
WOluliy tat, and that his dissatisfaction az ma
turn 10 As tide Of luck is manifested by
his seedinass OF attire. Mr. Cleveland nevel
was dre5sy man. Until he became Governor
% New York lac associated In his hours of re
taxation mainly with the boys" and dressed
IN tnc careless way Of men who have no othel
homes than the Office, the saloon and the board
Ing house. After Ae became Governor he recog
nizad that society had some claims upog him
and he paid more attention 10 dress. Sine,
coming 10 Washington his clothing has usually
been meat, sensible and fitting For while
after his marriage be actually appeared TO talk,
some pains in getting himself up. Now bt
seems % have lost all interest in the matter. 2
least when not on exhibition. and during tht
greater part Of the day sits around his Office il
as shabby clothes as he ever wore when he wa
brielcss attorney in Buffalo, before the war
CHURCH OF J. C. L. D. s.
The most outrageous case Of legal abbrevia
tioh, IA this age Of short cuts, occurs in thl
letter from the Attorney General transmitting
ia Response TO Senate resolution, statemen
relative 10 the execution OF the law agains
bigamy.
The cath Of each Of the defendants was dull,
Endorsed by the United States Attorney. anc
u many eases printed thus: United State
vs. Late Corporation Of the Church Of 7 q r
ID. s.. ct al.," etc, thus making tie Unite
STATES bia.rlr than Tasrc gf-s-..