The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-24
CLEVELAND'S CHRISTMAS.
How the Day Will Be Passed at the
White House.

sion to Be Given Up to the Children.
Washington, Dec. %. = On the first
Christmas after the white house was &C.
cupied by a President the day was not
observed at all. John Adams was Presi-
dent, and neither he nor Mrs Adams was
accustomed to pay any attention to what
has since become a day of universal ioy
and religious observance The first real
Christmas dinner in the white house was
in 1905, when President Jefferson's
daughter, Mrs. Randolph, was visiting
him. The table was presided over by
Mrs. Madison, who afterwards took the
children to her own house to a party.
During Madison's presidency the day
was observed, except in that disas-
trous year when the white house
and capitol where blackened ruins
mutely testifying to the civ
ilized mode of warfare the British prac-
ticed. The Monroes paid no attention to
the day, Mrs. Monroe being New Yorker.
Mrs John Quincy Adams was a Mary
land woman and made the day house
hold holiday. jackson enjoyed the day.
VanBuren cared nothing for it, The Ty-
lers celebrated it in good old-fashioned
NlIRIlld obJ 1A1bCl bilCIE LIl6 udY
fell into a state Of desuetude until Blu
chanan came in with the beautiful Har-
riet Lane as hostess. Christmas was not
gala day during the war, but the big
mansion was enlivened by the children of
President Lincoln, as it was by the grand
children of President johnson. During
President Grants time the Christmas
tree in the east room bloomed in great
glory. President Hayes observed the
l. 4 -
dent Arthur paid little attention to it, and
President Cleveland, up to the date of
his marriage, hardly knew there was such
day. Now it is different.
TWO LITTLE STOCKINGS.
Since Mr.. Cleveland's first term he has
been drawn near the hearts of women
and children if not to that of the nation,
and especially will the great heart of the
public feel this on Christmas when it
thinks upon the fact that for the first
time in years there will be hung two lit
tie stockings from the great carved man
telpiece in the white house nursery
Children from north to south, east to
west, will stop among their toys for a mo-
ment and wonder what little Ruth is do
ing and ask each other if she is happier
for her great big white house and great
papa. Mothers minds will turn to Mrs.
will probab think of the woman whom
nation loves wondering if in her gran
deur she is happy. To all such, then, let
it be known that simpler Christmas in
all the land will not be spent than at the
house of the President of the United
States.
The big oak doors will be closed to call
ers, the scent of cedars and holly will
faint the atmosphere. and the voice of
the nf6oaS aalrat. and 10 Il linz Of
politicians will not disturb the serenity
Of the scene on this old familiar family
day. Following her invariable custom,
Mrs. Cleveland will attend service at the
old Court church on Christmas eve. AS
her own church is not open on this festi-
val, she attends the Episcopal and chooses
as her place of worship St. Johns, the
quaintest old structure in Washington,
standing opposite the white house. and
which has numbered as its members more
than half the presidents of this country
in its history. Whenever she attends
this church, she has always occupied the
pew which was set aside for
President Arthur when he was a
member. just over his pew there has
been erected memorial window, said to
be the most beautiful piece of stained
glass ever brought to this country. Mrs.
lamont is the authority for the statement
that Mrs. Cleveland's Christmas will
vary in no way from that of the humblest
woman in the land, and certainly Mrs
Lamont ought to know, for she is called
the Lady Churchill of this administra-
ton. She will be the only caller received
at the white house on Christmas day,
but even her eyes will not be permitted
to pervade the glow on Mrs. Cleveland's
face as she points out to Esther for the
first time stocking filled with sugar
plums and toys.
PLANS FOR THE DAY.
President Cleveland has been especially
fortunate in keeping the public eye from
his private matters, but Washington, in
no less degree than the rest of the coun-
try, wants to know what will happen on
Christmas at the white house. At first
he contemplated spending the season at
Lakewood, but on the request of Mrs
Cleveland decided to let Esther enjoy her
nrst Christmas at the white house. To
many 1t is not generally known that Mrs.
Cleveland is romantic and is always lay
ing up memories for her children to think
upon in the future. And as she wanted
Esther to be born at the white house, so
she wants her family to spend this sea-
son amid its old white walls. She has
determined that her surroundings shall
make no difference to the day but
that it shall be one of the many which
she remembers from her girlhood. Fol
lowing out his Medes and Persians' ruling,
Mr.. Cleveland will accept no presents
either for himself or children, except from
relatives and most intimate friends. If
any come anonymously to Ruth or Esther,
ds IS usually the case, they will be laid
ASIDE and form no part of the children's
Playthings, at least for years to come
both the President and his wife wish to
Keep the tastes of their children simple
and prevent the spirit of ayarice which
mars the merriment of so many children
o. The wealthy at the present day. Mrs
cleveland and Mrs. Lamont will exchange
souvenirs of the day, and notes of good
wishes and happy Christmas will come
from the cabinet circle. But this is all.
THE WHITE HOUSE NURSERY.
To properly realize Christmas at the
EWhlte house one must remember the loca-
uon OF the nursery. 1t adjoins the apart
ments of Mr. Cleveland, and is the only
room furnished for the administration.
mere is tiny bed and a cradle on one
SiQe OF the big room for the two little
nelresses, and large bedstead on the
Uvner for the nurse. In spite of the inno-
yatlon of steam heat the big fire place has
oeen left intact to kindle blaze
Wnen the warmth of the day is
Sulnclent for other members of the
household. Over this, from large old
iaShloned mantelpiece, will the stockings
e eT hung. One can picture the mother
lIIlng them for the unconscious children,
tMLnlIe the ubiquitous nurse watches for
~Srr, 4 h.,