Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-21
ANEW WHITE HOUSE
Thoughts Suggested by the Talk Of
the Necessary Revision Of
THE HOME OF THE PRESIDENTS.
Memories That Cluster Around the Present
Historic Building.
FAIR WOMEN WHO CALLED IT HOME
lcoRRrsroNprxor OF THE prsrArcH.I ]

WASHINGTON, D. c., September 19.-
What tiny stroke in worlds history is a
hundred yearsl Yet in that time village
surrounded by wilderness has grown into
one of the most magnificent cities of the
whole earth. Peace and prosperity have
taken the place Of war and financial strug-
giles. The National Capital has become the
seat of national science, national politics
and national pride. In historical associa-
tions the White House occupies no small
part, and each day the rapidly growing ma
ton Is demanding revision-change.
The continued suggestions as to the en-
larging. of the Executive Mansion are
attracting more and more attention
every year, bringing forth opinions
pro and con concerning the advisability
of such an undertaking. If we listen
to the zeal of nationality, the passion of
patriotism, and honor the consecrated me-
mories of the martyrs of liberty, We will
meet the necessity in such way as to re-
tain its illustrations. associations-in a
word, let it still remain what it is in the
hearts of the people-the "White House"
What memorable scenes have been wit
messed within its walls! Around Its history
hovers many a romance, events forever
memorable in the progress of the country.
To make any alterations that would destroy
the simplicity of this republican home
would be to pamper the growing American
spirit and iamiliarize US with ''old things
are passing away and all things are becom-
ing new"
THE NATION UNSTABLE.
We as a nation are growing unstable;
the ancestral home is too easily displaced
for piles of massive architecture, with mean
ingless turrets and impudent gables, thor
oughly suggesting that good Queen Anne
has gone staring mad. Mrs. Harrison,
while elevated to the honor of "frst lady of
the land" still chafes at the change from
home with nine bed rooms, to one with
only fve," and why shouldn't she, when her
sisters, her cousins and her aunts" and
mighty host of other relatives desire to
receive "warmest welcome" at the Nations
House?
30 coming events cast their shadows be-
fore, and bill for the extension of the
Presidents house will no doubt be presented
this winter. Senator Cameron has already
signifed his intention of doing so, and as
his idea of reconstruction takes fully into
account the loyalty of the people, it is to be
hoped the Senator from Pennsylvania will
be allowed to introduce his bill. His idea
is general one. The proposition is to ex-
tend the Executive Mansion by wings built
to the east and west, after the plan of the
Capitol building-meeting the emergency,
yet still retaining the harmonious effect.
The scheme will require the competition of
our best architects.
1t is almost so years since Dickens criti-
de- l. La
House. Could the English critic on Amer
ican "hewness" to-day see the lofty trees,
the artistic grounds of the Nations House,
and from its height look down upon the
rolling park that bounds the cleaning
waters of the Potomac, he could not say as
he did: "The White House grounds have
that uncomfortable air of having been made
yesterday"
Many grades and classes represent the
callers 1.-THE Nations House, from the Texan
cowboy to the swell of Modern Athens, vet
the decorum of behavior is unbroken by
any disagreeable incident, and every one
among this miscellaneous crowd appears to
feel that he is
A PART OF THE INSTITUTION,
and responsible for its preserving a charac-
ter becoming and in keeping with the Ma
tion's House. With the opening of the
White House the rigorous and exclusive
rules Of Washington's day were discarded.
The ceremonious customs and court eti-
quette, when only persons of rank and dig |
nifty were received, gave place to republi-
can simplicity and hospitalities. To-day |
all the old-time stiffness seems to have |
merged into look of grand comfort.
Will there ever be a time when we, as
Americans, can give up, demolish, this |
historic building? The shadows of the |
past, the touching memories, the simplicity |
and purity of the lives of those who have |
inhabited the White House, make it dear to
every loyal heart. The history of human |
life is written within its walls. Life has
been lived, enjoyed, suffered there. Happi-
ness has come to some, to others harsh |
criticisms and supreme anguish |
Haunted memories of a martyred Presi-
dent come back-when treason ran riot
and the rabble ranged through the unpro-
tected rooms, plundering ornaments, silver
and rare china. Here Abigail Adams
showed herself an example Of the grandeur
of human character. Since the days when
she presided as the first lady of the republic
lin an unfinished house" with but six
rooms made comfortable" and though sur
rounded with forests, not enough wood to
keep fires, because people could not be found
to cut it., have lovely women come to pre-
side at the Nations House, inaugurating
golden reign of words and deeds, genius and
heroism.
CROWN OF A CAREER
Among the stately queens of the Execu-
tive Mansion OF Mrs. Monroe we know the
least, but one individual act comes to us in
history crowns her career, and, too, reflects
glory on the name of America. When, as
the wife of the American Minister to France,
she visited Madam La Fayette in prison
welding an influence that changed the
minds of the blood-thirsty tyrants and caused
the liberation of a grand and truly great
woman. whose very name of La Fayette
endeared her to the hearts of the American
people. Each White House mistress has
left some trace of her taste and individual
lty. Most have been worthy the high posi-
lion, but around the winsome girl mistress,
who has so recently left the historic house,
cluster nothing but pleasant "reminiscences
and a nations alteration and pride. May
this illustrious mansion, fraught with SO
many national memories, still retain its
prestige as the peoples house, bearing
beauty and simplicity in its outline, and
crowned by the emblems of liberty and Re-
publican independence. M. NJ.
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