The National tribune., 1899-12-07

posal. Mr. Monroe inlulged in an inward
glow Of gla ineSS. for only short time
before an unier-Sec-etary of the English
Government hal been assigned the prece-
dence over Mrs. Monroe.
The White House was never again graced
with the presence of Ms. Merry, and the
Minister did moi deign TO call, except on
strictly official business.
Tom Moore, who was a sojourner in
Washington at that time, took up the fight
for Motherland. and went into the sulks, too.
and gave vent to his wounded pride, ma
tionally, by writing very naughty poetry
about America.
The goddess Columbia held her gar
ments to one side for day, but none of
this blocked the Wheels of the Govern
ment The rain continued to fall upon the
Englishman and the Yankee just as before.
the sun rose and set, seed time and harvest
have come and gone, and what Is more,
the diplomatic service has not been inter-
fered with TO any extent during these
years.
When our country was in swaddling
clothes President Washington, with his
co-cavaliers. Adams, Jefferson, and
Hamilton, drew up a "code" of etiquet,
which, so far as the Presidents move
mentS were concerned, was rigidly in
forced.
The inexorable law since that time places
the Presidents wife the first lady in
unlimited construction, there has never
been any legitimate controversy over this
one. However, | have before me a copy
OF "A Treaty on Decorum." In the preface
the writer says no one however influential
could presume to dictate rules for the con-
duct of others and retain their friendship.
Ile author withhods his name, but in 1881
the book was copyrighted by c. l.. Snyder,
and the title page carries the name of s l..
Louis.
In mis- chapter on Washington etiquet
he says:
The wife OF the Chief Justice is the first
lady in the land. She holds eceptions
and receives calls, but she alone is eX-
cluded from all duty of returning calls.
Next in rank comes the wife of the PreSi-
dent"
Let us look back little George Wash
ington was inaugUrated President April
30, 1888. He appointed John JOY, of New
York, Chief Justice. with the advice and
consent of the Senate. Sept. 20, 1879. AS
is known by every reader Martha WASH
Ington was looked upon as first lady of the
land in official etiquet from the day OF her
first reception in New York. and as long
as Washington was President, and every
Presidents wife has held that place since:
so do not wonder that this author desired TO
hide himself kenind an incognito as Wash
ington would hardly have appointed
subordinate 10 take precedence of himself.
There IS, and ever has been, a clashing
OF the right of social precedence-a matter
very likely that would have been settled
once and for all when Washington called
his advisers together to settle upon a suita-
bic etiQuet and ceremonial for the .'Republi-
can Court" had it not been for Jefferson's
obstinacy against formality. The ques-
ton of social precedence assumed such
proportions when john Quincy Adams WAS
Secretary of State that it became necessary
TO call Cabinet meeting to discuss il.
When NJ. Hyde de Neuville was Minister
representing France in this country he ex-
Iended AN Invitation TO His Excellency.
President Monroe, and wife, to attend a
grand fete in honor Of the evacuation of
France by the allied troops. The Prcs-
dent and Mrs. Monroe. not wishing to do
anything IN contradiction TO the former
rule OF precedence. declined the invitation
No President in the past had visited the
house of Il foreign Minister. 1t became
the subject Of diplomatic negotiations
The President. through Secretary Adams
Informed the Minister that he would re-
quest his daughter, Mrs. Hay, TO be present.
The gauntlet was thrown down; social
war was on. Mrs. Hay. not being men,
ber OF the Presidents household. the diplo-
matte ladies had not first called on Mrs.
Hay. In her letter of acceptance Mrs. Hay
SAID to the Minister that she would be there
as the daughter of James Monroe and not
as the daughter of the President OF the
United States. AS might be expected,
social relations here ended between Mrs
Hay and the ladies OF the Diplomatic Corps.
The first wedding IN the White House
was the marriage of Mr. Monroe's youngest
daughter TO Samuel Lawrence. Governor of
New York. The foreign Ministers were
again in the social cauldron. not knowing
what etiquet was exacted of them.
The Russian Minister. Poltca called on
Mrs. Adams for instructions, and Mrs.
Adams, in a polite manner. consulted with
Mrs. Hay. She seemingly assumed the
role of high prieStess OF the etiquet of the
Administrations. and rs she did not visit the
houses OF foreign Ministers, she decided