The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-05-20
Copyright. Mary S. Lockwood.)
CHAPTER vi.

JOHN TYLER IN THE PRESIDENTS Hoosh'
Successor to Gen. HarIison-Goes over 10 'ie
Enemy Political Death-Stepped tl,tee
times into high Places through Luck-MTs.
Robert Tyler-A beautiful Woman-nef
impressions of intellectual Glanfs-iter
first State Dinner-Mr. Webster Compii-
ment-President Tyler charming Host
Mrs Robert Tyler's Description oil an AS
sembly-Descriptio of Leyee-Authors
of the Skefch Book and Pickrick Papers
present-Charles Dickens's just and UNJUST
Criticisms-Mrs. Ietitia Tyler's Death.
Mrs Letitia Semple, Lady OF the "nte
House-President Tyler marries MISS Gar
diuer-Mrs. Tvler's Picture in the Green
Room-President Tyler retlres to Virginia.
Enlists in the Confederate Cause.
As the legitimate successor John Tyler was
sworn in as President Immediately after the
death of Harrison, but he was of very dlf-
ferent mind. The succession and Its golden
allurements completely absorbed him,
The unbiased reader of events must own
that however men may differ In their version
of this Administration, President 1yler ac-
cepted the platform and policy of the wing
Party. when he allowed his name TO be sec
ond on the ticket; and no man, great or
small, has ever yet been the representative
of a party, and gone in exact contradiction to
his instructions, without being consigned to
political death.
Mr.. Tyler now stepped for the third time
into place of high public trust by reason OF
the death of the incumbent He was made
Governor of Virginia by the death of the Ex-
ecutive: he was made Senator by the death
of a Senator-elect, and death made HIM Presi-
dent of the United States.
Accidents. sometimes in mysterious
fashion. carry men to lofty pinnacles of for
tune: the breeze gets hold of them and carries
them up to high places 1t is the unexpected
that happens. and without irreverence we
call it accident Wealth, honor, place, dis
tinction, the highest places of earth, are as a
rule won by the nobleness of effort.
But whatever actuated and governed the
Presidents public life, it was largely atoned
for in his domestic relations Mrs. Robert
Tyler and Miss Tyler accompanied the Pnesi-
dent te the White House The President S
wife was in very delicate health, and did not
arrive in Washington until the weather be-
came settled.
Mrs. Robert Tyler is described as very
beautiful woman, elegant and accomplished,
and admirably fitted to fill the high station
of Lady of the White House, which the Presi-
dent had invited her to accept Mrs Tyler
from childhood had been surrounded by the
very best society in New York. She met MIR.
Robert TYLER in Richmond and within year
was married She was ready letter writer,
and her correspondence gives graphic de-
ecription of her life In the White House. She
writes in 1S41:
''What wonderful changes take place. my
dearest NJ Here am /, nee Priscilla Cooper,
actually living, and what is more, presiding
In the White House. / look at myself like
the little old woman, and exclaim: Can tins
be TO 1 have not had one moment to my.
self since nay arrival, and the most extraordi
nary thing is. feel as if / had been used Il
living here always / received the Cabine
Ministers, the Diplomatic Corps, the heads o
the Army and Navy, etc, with a facllit,
which astonishes me. Some achieve great
ness. and some are born to it. / occupy
poor Gen. Harrison's room. / have no super
stitious feeling on the subject, and it is al
pleasant as possible; the nice, comfortable
bedroom with its handsome furniture ant
curtains. its luxuriant armchairs, and all it
belongings i enjoy, / believe, more than any
thing else in the establishment. The great
est trouble l anticipate is in paying visits
there was doubt at first whether | mus
visit in person or send cards
- asked Mrs Madison's advice upon tn
subject, and she says return all my visits b,
all means. So three days in a week / am t.
spend three hours day. in driving from on,
street to another. in this city of Magnificen
Distances The victim of this sacrifice is I.
be attiIed in white chip bonnet, trimmed
with moss rose buds, from Lawson's in New
York.