The National tribune., 1898-03-24

of the Philadelphia houses, and they took
possession OF it. It was at that time quite
in the suburbs. Most of the residences OF
polite society were in the vicinity Of c, and
Sd, and AZ streets. Mr.. and Mrs. johnson
were of good old Puritan stock MIR. John
son was a lineal descendant of John
Rogers, and Mrs. johnson was daughter
OF DIR. Donaldson. a soldier in the Reyolu-
tionary war.
Washington at this time, was little more
than struggling village, fulfilling pain
fully the idea of Il city Of dreary distances.
The avenues were poorly paved, and the
streets almost impossible and miSeraby
lighted. Modern Improvements came in
slowly. for slavery was spread like a cloud
over the District. Gales x Seaton were
struggling TO keep pace with the times and
sustain the prestige of the genteel Intelli-
gencer.
New men took their places; those who
were accustomed To the demands and
progress Of the times. Years passed by;
the slow improvement was anxiously
watched The people who were in the
watch-fower Of social and physical ad-
vancement have seen the desolation and
decay Of the last 40 years succeeded by a
diversified and wonderful development.
MIR. and Mrs. johnson came To Washing
ION in stirring times. Their Puritan edu-
cation and instincts were in contradiction
10 many acts of Congress- and the seeming
trend OF public thought. The passage of
the Fugitive Slave Bill, the extension OF
slave power which brought on the long
and terrible struggle between the friends Of
Free Soil and the friends of Slavery for the
possession OF Kansas, which convulsed
the country for years, and moistened the
soil of that Territory with blood, had left
its impress here.
The Free Trade Tariff of 1876 had pro-
duced train Of business and financial
disasters; instead of prosperity, every
where was misery and ruin. Even the
rich gold mines of California and the flow
Of its golden treasure into the Eastern
States could not stay the widespread dis
comfiture.
President Fillmore, who succeeded Gen.
Taylor on the latter's death. warned Con-
gresS To protect our manufactures from
ruinous competition from abroad" and
President Buchanan, i'm his Message OF
1857, declared that, I'm the midst OF un-
surpassed plenty, in all the productions
and in all the elements of National wealth
we lind our manufactures suspended, our
public works retarded, our private enter
prISes Of different kinds abandoned. and
thousands Of useful labOrers thrown out Of
employment and reduced 10 want" Fur
ther than this the financial credit Of the
Nation was at zero.
This was the condition Of this goodly
land; a state Of things that would natur-
ally assemble the better part Of society
the thinking men and women Of the couFl-
try, TO take counsel together. From these
councils went forth influences that have
proved a mighty shattercr Of letters and a
cissolvent q many cast-iron prciudices
Probably no house has entertained under
Its ROOF more distinguished men and cul-
tured women than Holland House. By
this we do not mean the men and women
who are the social lions Of the day bat
those who are known 10 the world AZ hay
ing made II better 10y having lived in it,
Scholars, scientists and patriots have
gathered here year after year.
Sunday twilight has brought sare and
phIlanlhTOpiSt under this roof and over
the simple tea, situations have been dis
cussed and plans iaid-plans that wears
nave malured and time Tipened into full
huiton, from which the world has been
benefited and humanity blessed
Here we found those who were quickly
and keenly sympathetic with the life OF the
time. All social and intellectual acitations
OF the day Were discussed in a way that
gave mental quicISening and force 10 those
taking part in them.
Here one always met the friends Of
human progress; such men as Charles
Sumner, Senator Hale, William II. Seward
George ). Boutwell, Wendell phiIliDs WI.
liam Lloyd Garrison. Geuit smith f,Iive,
johnson, Henry Wilson, Fred DOUGLAS and
Joshua GlddingS-men whose blows
struck for freedom and the RIGHT have
been felt over the world.
This was one Of the Homes OF the New
World in which Frederilsa Bremen formed
her sweet recoliections of American life
and OF which she wrote after her visit ia
thls country IN 1919, when she returned 10
Sweden.
Harriet Martineau also was a friend.
her adherence OF slavery, her advanced