Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-04-20
washington society.

ashInSLOu SOclety
A delightful. gossipy article about
Washington society is contributed to
Harpers Magazine by Henry LOOMS Mel
son. 1t is the best summing up we have
seen lately of the marvellous cOnglomera-
ton of men and women from all parts of
this broad land that constitute Washing
ton society 1t is as much the duty OF
every moderately well to do American to
spend a winterin 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 off in 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, selfishness and gTeenness
are there, but they are slammed into moth
ingness by the exquisite flavor of court
illness 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 b,
just about perfect too.
Mr.. Nelson describes well the strange
contrasts that meet one at a presidents
reception, contrasts sharply emphasized
In dress, from the new rural congress
man, who goes to evening parties in
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 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 come TO this. Some Of them
may be vulgar, many Of them may be crude,
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 90 them, they may not know
the names of the leading French authors or
painters, they may not have heard that Russia
has literature. they may think the equestrian
effigy of jackson more splendid than the grace
full figure of Chief Justice Marshall, but they
have self respect and kind considerateness for
others, and they recognize the proprietes OF
speech and manners.
They feel their own powers and have realized
their value. They are clean minded, and they
have won their leadership by their own efforts,
for this is the congregation Of the leaders OF
the republic-the men and women who inhabit
the homes Of the country, in city and hamlet.
on prairie and mountain and by seashOre.
They are the source Of its power and the prod
ucts of its culture. From out their sturdy stock
come the brilliant double blossoms OF that
which deems itself the highest civilization.
Most of these blossoms die with their genera
ton. but the invigOrating soil grows better and
better plants as the years go on.