Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-17
MRS. TAYLOR IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
Gen. Howard's Tribute to Her rs a Noble,
Refined Christian Woman.

Refined Christian Woman.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star.
A grand-niece Of Mrs TAYLOR felt hurt at
the following statement recently in your
paper and appealed TO me to answer it:
President Taylor depended on his daughter
Bette, who was the wife of Major bliss. 20 pre-
side over his establishment. but she WAS too
young to do it very well. being only seventeen.
Mrs. Taylor was old fashioned and had no lil-
ing for society. She never appeared in the
drawing room, though she loved 20 sit on the
stairs smoking her pipe while Bette helped
papa receive"
Surely this is a travesty upon such a woman
OF refinement and amiable manners In INV
book recently publiFhed, entitled. ''GeSeral
TAYLOR" 1 say: Mrs. TAYLOR for a brief time
seemed to have secured her hearts desire when
her husband at last after those almost in
termlnable battles, had actually returned and
joined herself and daughter in their pretty
humble home. But she frankly told him 10
keep out OF political life. Like other unam-
bilious army women she had been looking for
ward to q happy period Of rest for herself and
husband after those wears of almost unending
change, exposure and privation 60 which she
had been subjected ever since she came 20 him
as bride She did not welcome either the
excitement OF the political campaicn or the
brilliant prospects at Washington which were
10 come after the election But che welded 10
her good husbands decision; for was he not al
ready committed when he penned his first let
ter from Aqua Nueva? At any rate. his noble
wife finally gave up her own wishes, and with
no substantial show of opposition carried out
his plans. but the unusual scene presented it,
self TO every visitor, and particularly 20 every
ardent partisan who came for favors of a house,
hold without political enthusiasm or seeming
ambition Ii appeared as il. instead OF ap-
preaching the fulfillment OF grand hone. ana
vi hon limit rltAut
shadowy and untried land, where trials and
duties were more potent than any anticipated
personal advantage"
With reference to Mrs Bliss, who. on sc-
count of the i'll health and retiring disposition
OF her mother, was Obliged to take the laboring
oar | said:
''of course youth and beauty, inspired by
the bright changes in the whole country came
from near and far and clustered around these
noble representatives Of our American life
Mrs. Bliss Was particularly charming and popu-
lar. Her intelligence equal to her grace,
and in few days after her entrance TO the
White House IL was admitted that no princess
could do the honors of palace be tier than she:
for her mother insisted in keeping in the back
ground. where she, ia comparative retirement.
endeavored TO make the most OF what she
hardly enjoyed Doubtless, however, she was
still proud of her good husband, though he bad
left the army against her Wishes and glad that
her daughter had so much genuine indie
pendence, energy and pluck. and was becoming
properly appreciated in every quarter"
Mrs. Holloway. in her Ladies Of the White
House, gives this picture of Mrs. Bliss at large
public gathering. After describing q throng Of
ladies in costly attire, she says: Then behind
these came Mrs. Bliss, plainly dressed in white,
q simple flower in her hair, timid and faltering.
yet with an expression in her eve that showed
she was Zachary Taylor's favorite child. The
expectations OF the vast crowd were for the
moment realized; then followed expressions OF
enthusiasm that were overwhelming
brief sketch Of Mrs. Taylor, from another
source, will. doubtless, interest your readers
Mrs. Taylor, like Mrs. President Tyler, re-
ceived her visitors in her private apartments,
leaving her beautiful and brilliant daughter 10
represent her at the public receptions. Mrs.
Taylor a devoted member OF the Episcopal
Church, a noble and refined Christian woman,
who shrank from the destinations Of rank and
conspicuity. She had been in Ill health for
many wears"
think the claim OF Mrs. Taylor's relatives
that she was q woman Of excellent family, vel
brought up and of good manners will indicate
to your readers the absurdity OF the picture
which your correspondent presented II Was,
doubtless. a travesty which was Of piece with
many that appeared concerning Gen. Taylor
himself. In time caricatures ana untrue state
ments are forgotten and have, as they should,
little weight with the historian.
o. o. HowARp.
Major General, L. g. Army.
Governors Island, n. Y, Feb. l6, 1893.