The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-21
The Baron and the Kiss.


of all who witnessed it, and which is
likely to cause no little discussion in
diplomatic circles and outside oil
them, as we'll. The Washington cor
respondent who tells the story, and
who, we trust. can be relied upon fol
his accuracy, states that as Sir Julian
was passing out of the vestibule
Baron Fava. the Italian minister
who had been the dean of the diplo-
matte corps until the promotion OF
the British minister to the rank Of
ambassador, stepped out upon tie
portico and there met Mrs. Cleve-
land, who was just returning from g
drive. The Baron and the charming
mistress of the White House engaged
in few moments conversation, and
the correspondent adds, as they
were parting. Mrs, Cleveland reach
ed out her hand, and the Baron
pressed it to his lips. Mrs. Cleveland
seemed little astonished, and SO
did every one who happened to see
the incident.
"Baron Faya is a thorough diplo-
mat, and is we'll versed in all that
pertains to polite customs in society
in America, as we'll as in Italy and
at many of the courts of Europe. He
is scholarly, well bred man, and has
that suavity of manner and polite
ness that prove him to be a gentle
man through and through. BY that
kiss he meant simply to convey to
Mrs. Cleveland his most sincere
admiration of her as the wife of the
President of the United States, and
at the same time to prove that he
recognized in her the true type of the
American gentlewoman. The Baron,
to show his esteem. chose a custom
of his own country, a custom which
has touch of beauty about it, but,
yet. custom which has not secured
firm footing among the rules of
conventional society in this land. 1t
is for this reason that Mrs Cleveland
was surprised, and for this reason
that those who witnessed the Incl
dent will continue to talk about it
for some time to come"
This story is told by the daily
papers and we have taken the Balti-
more Anerican's version, or rather
way of telling it, together with that
papers explaining away its signiG,
canoe. The incident has vastly more
significance than is imputed to It,
and Baron Fava is tar too much of q
man of society and diplomacy to
appear in anv such a green role as is
here imputed to him. The kiss was
the kiss of welcome which royalty is
extending to our American plu-
tocracy. They are counting closer
alliance with the class which has got
the government of the United States
firmly in its grasp for the time being.
The ceremony, extravaganza and
display attending Mr.. Cleveland's
Inauguration resembled more an
imperial coronation than the inau,
guration of a plain American Pres
ident. And Mrs, Cleveland's gorgeous
dressing, jewels and diamond deco,
artion was in every way the peer of
royalty at its best, and her display
on the avenues of Washington is thus
described by society paper;
''Mrs. Cleveland has been driving
about town for the past few days in
the most stylish turnout which ever
belonged to the White House stables.
She handles the ribbons over pair
of handsome, clean limbed, dock
tailed bay horses, drawing a low
phaeton or victoria, with rumble
behind, in which sits bolt upright a
very black tiger in very white livery.
Mrs. Cleveland sits on drivers
cushion, and when she has gentle
man with her, which is generally the
case, be is compelled to look up to
the handsome woman by his side,
who holds the whip and reins like q
true Jockey"
The shame of all this royal display
and hand kissing is no reproach to
Mrs Ciegeland or sny young Amer
lean woman. Fhey accept all such
homage bestowed upon them as a
right, a tribute to their sex and all
that, and never think of the deep
significance beneath the customs and
etiquette only allowed to be INDUCED
in by the royal cousins of the ruling
families of Europe. The Bsron's
kiss was but the ice breaking for the
entry of royal court manners into
government ceremonies in demo.
CRATIC America. There are thousands
of the wealthy class Of this country
who are signing for the substitution
of royalty for democracy in these
| United States, and an exclusive
ruling cla2s.
Mr. ClevelGpd's political surprises
since his coronation Inauguration
ceremonies, are strlkingly like the
comp d etat of Napolron third, if the
changed conditions which environ
hiw are taken into account.
These trained old diplomats of
European courts do not make any
such blunders or act from senti,
mental impulse. They know what
our Plutocracy are longing to affect,
[ and are very willing to aid them with
their trained sill, The plain people
had better take heed. The american
people are to blame, and not Mrs.
Cleyeland, for being the innocent
a !