The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-01
CHAPTER XIII.
AND

PRESIDENTS HAYES GARFIELD, AND
ARTHUR.
Exciting Political Canvass Mrs. Hayes's
Grown of Glory "-Her Broad Culture.
Gar6eld's Inauguration-The Assassin Is
Hand-White House Again the Social
Center-President Arthur's Sister-Critical
Position Sustained with Manly Courage.
The exciting political canvass of 1876 is
still fresh in the minds of the people. Its
disputed results, the fna. adjustment of the
Electoral Commissioners. giving the one ma
jority to Mr. Hayes over Mr. Tilden, are also
Well-remembered facts.
Mr.. Hayes gathered around him men of
the highest integrity, and when years have
softened the enmities engendered, justice
will say :" Never was there a pnrer Admin
istration than that of Rutherford B. HAYES -
OF all the ladies of the White House, from
the days of Abigail Adams down, none ex-
eelled Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes in innate re-
6nement, broad culture, and moral courage.
The grandeur of human character had in her
worthy example.
Abigail Adams was representative woman
of the days of the Revolution. She left to
her country an unblemished name Dolly
Madison inaugurated the golden reign of the
White House. Mrs Hayes fell upon times
equally distinctive in many ways. She re-
vived the stately graces of other days in the
White House. She welcomed all, Ameri-
cans, foreigners, friends and foes, with an
ease and elegance Of manner that charmed
all who came into her presence.
She was the chosen counsellor of her hus-
band in the affairs of State, devout Metho-
dist in a word, a Christian woman. In
times when animosities have spurred others to
do ungracious things and to boast of what
they had done, her sweet, forgiving spirit
made answer but in tears
The position she took upon the use of wine
IN the White House will always be to her a
crowd of glory. She saw through the forms
and shams of life, and her views differed
materially from any Others but her decisions
were from conviction wrought of grave and
Bericus thought.
Ungracious as were the comments made
upon her course, no American woman has
created for herself, under public and trying
conditions, so little criticism and so much
admiration and respect as Lucy Webb Hayes
CHARACTER OF MRS. HAYES.
There was in her character combination
Of intellectual force, buoyancy of spirit, and
deep tenderness of heart la her portrait.
which hangs in the White House, the gift of
brilliant face, with intellectual, spiritual
brow, soft, tender expression of eyes and
mouth the thick brown hair is brought
smoothly down her face, and is Simply coiled
at the back. We are glad that the White
House is 50 honored, and that there Will be
banded down to posterity the lineaments of
this noble woman who dared to do according
10 her convictions.
The 4th of March the President and Mrs.
Hayes joined the procession of families which
the people have chosen to represent them, as
the years have waxed and waned in the Ma
lions homestead, and walked out of it leav-
Ing memories which inger and fill every
nook and corner
Mrs. Hayes left an atmosphere emanating
from the rare sunshine OF her nature. as a
sweet benediction for the one who was to fol-
low in the path she had trod for four years
D varied path OF lights and shades.
James A. Garfield was elected the Doth
President of the United States, and Chester A.
Arthur, Vice President.
The morning Of March 4, 1881. was not
propitious one for an Inaugural ceremony. for
The day opened dark and gloomy. Amid snow
and slush the procession moved, for neither
lair nor foul weather can prevent the new Ad-
ministration from being ushered IN.
Pennsylvania avenue was lined with
multitude of people, disappointed and crest
allen with the provision the weather clerlkn
had made and more anxious than ever that
Inaugural Day should be changed Despite
The weather it was grand and imposing pro-
session. President Hayes and PIesident-elect
GARFIELD rode in an open baroQche drawn by
four horses
:, The Senate Chamber and galleries had rap
idly filled with distinguished throng. The
center of attraction was IN the front seat in
the gallery opposite the Vice Presidents
desk, where sat the mother of the President
elect with his wife and Mrs Hayes.
The sweet-faced old lady who sat at the
head of the seat drew the attention of the
whole audience. Next TO her was Mrs. HAYES.
and at her right Mrs. Garfield A running
conversation was kept up among the three
In which cid Mrs Garfield, by her quaint and
witty remarks, often provoked the others TO
laughter.