The National tribune., 1898-03-10

thoughtful of the suffering She had a
quiet way of dispensing her charities, and
only those who were the beneticiarleS OF
her hand knew of the channels 1T reached.
Another page is added to history. One
Administration goes out and another come
in and with il comes John Wanamaker as
Postmaster General. The Frelinghuysen
home is that OF the man OF letters.
And greater charities were not done than
by this host and hostess. Their lives
have been spent in prompting acts OF
beneicence, in getting the rich 10 help the
poor, and helping the poor 10 forget their
misery.
During the time that Levi p. Morton was
a member OF Congress his house was on
the corner of 18th and II streets. This was
another OF the houses whose records could
tell many tales. Better il is, perhaps,
that walls, ever so historic, tell no secrets.
This house was better known as the
Hooper House. During Mr. Lincoln's Ad-
miniStration it was owned and occupied by
Samuel Hooper, of Boston. Mr.. Hooper
was a Representative in Congress, Il man
Of sterling worth and integrity, and by his
urbane manner and liberal hospitality
drew around him men Of social and pOit-
zeal standing, like Charles Summer, Ban
croft the historian, and others.
II was 10 this house that Andrew john
son was invited after President Lincoln S
assassination and his own Inauguration.
Here he remained for weeks, until Mrs.
Lincoln had sufficiently recovered from the
shock of her husbands death to be re
moved from the Executive Mansion.
Political consultations and Cabinet meet
ings were held. and undoubtedly the chrys-
alis Of the early Johnson policy here
found form. Stanch Republicans, like
Sumner, Hooper, Boutwell, and others were
hIs advisers. Seward was laid up, suffer
ing from the would be assassn's blow
Harlan, Randall. McCulloch, and WeIIes
were in his Cabinet.
The later policy that developed with
President Johnson found no sympathy in
the hearts OF those who had been his
friends, nor with Congress.
In the place where the President found
his name supported now cOngregated the
same men, with Seward added, laying theiI
plans to avert, what seemed TO them, the
death blow Of the Nation. How well they
succeeded. history tells.
Mr.. Hooper had Il son who died in his
cOuntTy'S service during the war His
widow, one Of the most attractive women
in society at that time, connected with
some Of the foremost people Of Boston, was
one OF the attractions Of the Hooper man
sion.
Here she constantly met the dignified,
elegant Charles Sumner, "a man i'm wears
old enough TO be her father. At this time
he stood before the country its most noble
SDlls llic iStuCi vi inc ttcpuDNtdil party, at
the zenith Of popularity, Il brilliant orator,
a profound scholar. His speeches filled
the galleries with thinking men and
women, as well as with the beauty and
fashion Of the day.
Possessed OF lofty statue and nobleness
Of feature, it Is not surprising that the
fair daughter Of Massachusetts admired
Charles Sumner, and that all Washington
was agOS when 1T became known that the
great statesman was to marry Mrs. Hooper.
/ This Is not the place to follow the outcome
Of this incOngruOus marriage.
After this followed many noted gather
ings at the Hooper house. General and
I Mrs. Grant Mr.. and Mrs. Sumner, Scna-
tors, diplomats, queens Of society, all ri
vailed each other in wit, briliiancy and
grace Of manr or.
There was in this house for months
/ another guest TO whom the world owes
/ homage; a man who possessed in his own
( person that harmonious union OF rare
/ qualities which Dr. Holmes saws was the
master key that opened every door. the
/ cOuntcrslgn that passed every sentinel
/ the unSealed letter Of Introduction 10 all
the higher circles Of the highest civiliza-
/ ton" Such were the natural graces and
such the distinguished bearing Of j. Lo-
throp Motley.
After Gen. Grants first election, Mr.
Motley was Mr. lfooper's guest, and later
/ Mrs. Motley and their three daughters
Joined him. 1t was during his stay here
that he received the appointment Of Minis
ter 10 England, from President Grant.
This appointment was undoubtedly due to
1 Mr.. Summers influence.
We can imagine what their dinner talks
may have been, when Motley, Sumner,
Hooper and a few other choice spirits ex-
| changed views upon literature, art, politics
ana all The great questions of the day, over
choice viandS and rare wines.
but the English mission was AN episode
in Mr.. Motley's life fall Of heart burnings.
Ii a wrong was done him it must be laid
at the doors OF those whom The Nation has
delighted to honor and whose services no
error Of Judgment, or feeling, or conduct
can ever induce us to forget
1t will be remembered that a serious
estrangement had come betwetzs the Presi-