The National tribune., 1897-12-30

by Francis Preston Blair, ST. This house
was his home during the period that he
was editor Oh the Globe, at one time d
Democratic paper OF great influence.
| With JacksOn's and Van Buren's Adj
mInistratIonS his influence was unbounded,
aid by manly he was regarded as the pow er
behind the throne greater than the throne
| itself.
When Van Buren, was candidate for the
| Free Soil party for the Presidency Mir.
| Blair supported him. In 1855 he became a
member Oh the Republican party, with
which he continued to affiliate until after
the close OF the war, when he drifted back
| to the party OF which he had been so dis
tingulshed a member, and with which he
mad become SO prominently identified in
| the early part OF his life.
! He died at his country seat, Silver Spring,
| Montgomery County, Md, Oct. IL, 1896 at
the advanced age of 50 years.
| More than half a century ago this an
( Gent knight and lady were often seen,
mounted, riding along Pennsylvania ave
| nue. toward their old home, in which their
son, Montgomery Blair, was living.
We have shown what Il power Mr.. Blair
was in the land for two generations. lie
was always the firm friend and strong
| admirer of "Old Hickory" and nothing
| gave him greater pleasure than to stroll
INTO La Fayette Square and gaze upon the
| equestrian statue Of Jackson, which he
| pronounced the best likeness Of the old
hero cxtant, no matter what adverse crit
cism might be given. He was the father OF
Frank r. Blair, ir., whose early youth was
spent in this house
The Blair mansion was rented to the
Hon. George Bancroft during the short
period that he was Secretary of the Navy,
from 1915 to 1916. Mr. Bancroft was for
several years the only surviving member OF
Mr.. Folks Cabinet. The next prominent
ftrIc
John Y. Mason, Secretary OF the Navy,
from 1916 to 1919. Mr.. Mason, prior to thu
time, had been member Of the Constit,-
tional Convention Of Virginia, from 1881 f.
1881! when he was appointed Judge of tie
United States Court for Virginia. He WIS
> crctary OF the Navy under Presidents
Tyler and Polk. He was appointed Mini.
ter To France by President Pierce, where
he remained until his death in 1889
during the latter portion OF Taylor's AC-
ministfation Hon. Thomas Ewing occu-
pied this house, he having been appointed
by President Taylor TO a seat in his Cab
net as Secretary Of the Interior. Gen.
Thomas Ewing, who distinguished himself
during the civil war upon the side OF the
Union, was his SON
IL was IN this house, June !, 1850, that
Gen w. T. Sherman, at that time a Lieu
tenant, was married to Miss Ellen Baylos
Ewing, daughter OF Tom Ewing, by Rev.
'""ioo i'iuoi, iicoiueHt oI Georgetown Co.
lege.
After the death OF Charles II. Sherman. i'm
1929, w. I. Sherman was adopted by
Thomas Ewing and by him appointed TO a
cadetship TO West Point.
When the Mexican war broke out, he
was sent To California to meet Kearny's
expedition crossing the plains He was at
that time First Lieutenant in the Sd Art.
On his return he was married to Miss
Ewing. There were present at the cere-
mony President Fillmore and his Cabinet,
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and a host OF
other celebrities then residents OF Wash
ington.
During President Fillmore's Administers
ton, in 1850, he invited the gifted, silver
tongued Tom Corwin into his Cabinet, and
while he held the position of Secretary of
the treasury he too occupied this house,
adding one more name TO the iliustrious
list that have called il their home
Since 1853 this historic mansion has
been occupied by the family OF Mont
"onlerv Blair. Mr.. Blair was a r,,en,her OF
President LincOln's Cabinet. The Winter
o. 1903 Will be long remembered for its bri-
liant receptions, for the elegance of fashion
ana social magnlficence everywhere ex-
hiblted During the gay season Admiral
and Mrs. Lee issued "a thousand cards OF
invitation for bridal party, the bride a
daughter OF Montgomery Blair. This party
is said to have been in point of numbers
and distinction OF the guests, and the
eLaho scale OF III It's appointments, one of
the most magnificent given in the Capital
Montgomery Blair, though member of
PRESIDENT Lincolns Cabinet, was one OF
the most prominent and able supporters of
Mr. lIlden in his efforts to have his claim
to the Presidency recognized. When Mr.
Diair died he left name unsullied
Ito DC continued
TOO much sirain on the brain and body m cans I'm.