The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1893-04-05
Washington Society.

uehgnCiui. gosslpy article about
Washington society Is contributed 20
Harper's Magazine by Henry Loomis Mel.
son. It Is the best summing up ws have
seen lately Of the marvellous conglomera-
tion Of men and women from all parts Of
this broad land that constitute Washing.
ton society. It is as much the duty of
every moderately well to do American 10
spend winter in Washington as to make
the tour Of Europe. There is to be found
the nearest approach to real American
society-if there Is any such thing--that
exists anywhere.
From all corners Of the country our
people come together there. The rough
of speech and uncouth of manner are
polished of in a few months to become
at least respectable members of refined
society. They are good. moral people.
intelligent, too, wanting just what they
will get from season in Washington
Boorishness, selfshness and greenness
are there. but they are shamed into moth
ingness by the exquisite flavor Of court
liness and gentleness that will always
pervade Washington society Give every
body his deserts, this courtliness. gentle.
ness and polished manner are due largely
to the southern element in Washington.
If we could unite northern energy and
enterprise with southern gracefulness
and politeness, we should have the most
fascinating specimen of humanity that
has yet blessed this globe. He would be
just about perfect too
Mr.. Nelson describes well the strange
contrasts that meet one at presidents
reception, contrasts sharply emphasized
In dress, from the new rural congress-
man, who goes to evening parties in
a frock coat, to the gorgeous Chinese
minister in his rainbow robes of state.
Here, too. is the hopelessly vulgar rich
man, who somehow makes one think OF
hog bristles. who has for years been able
to buy all he wanted and thinks he can
buy place in good society too.
Best of all is Mr.. Nelson's conclusion:
Washington official society offers u great
revelation of American character. These peo-
pie who make the living panorama Of a draw
ing room are the products of our institutions
In the countries OF kings and emperors they
could not have como TO this. Some Of them
: may be vulgar, many Of thena may be crudo.
most Of them may be uninteresting to those
whose pleasure lies In the alertness and skill OF
intellectual fence. The latest works on fiction
may be unfamiliar to them, they may not know
the names OF the leading French authors OF
painters, they may not have heard that Russia
has q literature. they may think the equestrian
efigy Of jackson moro splendid than the grace
full figure Of Chief Justice Marshall, but they
have self respect and kind considerateness fot
others. and they recognize the propriettes OF
speech and manners.
They feel their own powers and have realized
their value, They are clean minded, and they
have wop their leadership by their own efforts
for this is the congregation Of the leaders OF
the republic-the men and women who fnhabit
the homes of the country, in city and hamlet
on prairie and mountain and by seashore-
They are the source of It's power and the prod.
ucts Of its culture. From out their sturdy stock
como the brilliant double blossoms Of that
which deems itself the highest civilization
Most Of these blossoms die with their genera
tion, but the invigorating soil grows batter and
better plants as the years go on.