The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-11
PRESIDENTIAL DIGNITY.


t0,fespoadtnce Detroit NeDs.
II was the idea Of Washington that the
President ought to maintain dignified
exclusiveness in his relations with the
public. He was not to dine with every
man who wished to send him an invita-
tion and thus secure notoriety. He was
to be approachable, without bringing
himself down to the level of common
familiarity. Washington established the
state dinners. lie determined how far
the Executive should open the White
House to entertainment. This dignity
was much in keeping with the custom Of
the day. But when Jefferson rode up TO
the White House on horseback, hitched
tive Mansion, and walked inside without
any of the formalities of inauguration
which Washington had established, II
brought up new era in social custom.
Jeffersons extreme views OF democracy
made him democratic always He set
aside all formalities of dress, frequently
appearing on the street In his hunting
jacket and knee breeches The code es-
tablishing who should be received and
who not received was set aside and one
man was as cordially received as another.
But when Jefferson went out the social
dignity ofthe Executive Mansion was grad
ally re-cstablished, and as late as In Presi-
dent Cleveland's time the rules were care.
fully observed. Cleveland never accepted
dinners. Even Mrs. Cleveland restricted
her visits. II excited some comment
when she was at one time the guest at a
tea given by woman not identified with
official life.
Mr.. Harrison ignores all rules and Gus
toms. He goes and comes when he
chooses. and, II he had the natural fac
ulty Of being agreeable, he would be q
very general W ss and ,,s very popular guest, , He
was the first time in years that the
President had been a guest at Senatorial
table. Almost every day the papers con-
tain an announcement of his dining
somewhere. Thus far he has attended
most of the Cabinet dinners and has gone
fairly well through the Senatorial list.
While the President thus puts on Demo-
adopts a manner which Is anything but
Democratic. For instance, his entrance
to the Church of the Covenant, which he
regularly attends, is surrounded with as
much ceremony as the entrance of q
wedding procession.
He does not come in through the regu-
lar doors like the rest of the congrega-
ton. When the people are seated and the
service is about to open little side door '
from It President and Mrs. Harrison
emerge, walking half way up the middle
aisle to the pew which is reserved for
them. This official entry being over the
pastor appears and the service proceeds.
If it were anywhere else but n church IL
might be expected that the organ would
play Hail to the Chief and the people
applaud at this ceremonious Presidential
entry.
The President drives around town much
| of late. He handles the lines himself,
driving pair of bright sorrels which he
recently boughtin Vermont. They have
taken the place of an antique pair which
the President used to drive. Sitting be-
hind the sorrels in high, square box
trap, the President reminds Washing
tonians of the days when President Grant,
cigar in mouth and reins in hand, used to
speed along the Avenue at a lively gait.