The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-30
CALHOUN'S MISFORTUNE.
Might Have Been President But for a
Society Woman.

| society "OuAn.
Although q blind man. DR.. Milburn has
managed during his so years In Washing ton,
Of political life which are not recorded in the
histories. He has his own opinions, and ex.
presses them, concerning several great events
OF the nations life.
GUS account OF the influence Of the famous
Mrs. Eaton, whom the women OF Gen. Jack
sons cabinet ostraoIzed. "Her revenge on
Mrs. Calhoun" SAID DR.: Ciyburn, Vas the II,
! He was not elected because of Madge Eaton.
Mrs. Eaton's mother kept the boarding
house where Calhoun took his meals.
who had been the vile Of another man
and married Gen. Eaton after there had
been great deal OF unpleasant talk about
her. Gen. Eaton was member Of Jack:
sons cabinet. Jackson's own Wife had
been assalled so maliciously that when every
one was disposed to treat Mrs. Eaton coldly
the president sympathized with her. And
Mrs. Eaton also had the gift OF CAB, and was
and ordered the wives Of the cabinet officers
to treat her as one Of themselves. But the
women had wills Of their own, and. although
by this one and that one. Mrs. Calhoun
would have nothing to do with her, and Cal
boun followed his wife's example.
"Madge Eaton all this time was keeping
little account OF the way she was received by
the women, and the name Of every one who
snubbed her was put on her black list. And
Calhoun was there In large letters Finally
Tbs I phrase e ought not to have the ugly mean-
ing that is sometimes given TO 1t. jackson
meant to vindicate his wife. he dismissed
scores Of office holders because they had
that the spoils belonged to the victor. Mrs.
Eaton was invited to the presdents house.
and mingled familiarly with the family. But
Mrs. Calhoun left Washington rather than
1t1o har Thn 01fO ~
that Calhoun's political hopes were blasted,
and Van Buren,, who was widower, and
had treated Mrs. Eaton with studied polite
The blind chaplain was favorably disposed
toward the much talked about wife OF Gen.
Jackson. "She was" said DR.. Milourn, zone
of the loveliest women God ever created"
beyond 5S; n'G Jackson's @ administration, and he
gave An amusing account Of her little speech
at the reception given by Mrs. Polk when
Milburn's first term as chaplain Of congress.
and he himself heard the cutting remarks OF
Mrs. Eaton. "She had been In Spain with
her husband for eight years. sa1a MasbinGton III M,
she decided to call on Mrs. Polk and see now
she would be treated. 1t was public recep,
tion day: AS soon as she came IN sight OF
Mrs. Polk, Mrs. Eaton saw that Mrs. Fob
was not going to recognize her. But she pald
no attention. as she knew great many OF
the representatives OF foreign countries. and
610 SGOOQ SHllluR duu UOWlDS w
stationed herself near Mrs. Polk, and smiled
most graciously, and whenever any one
saluted Mrs. Polk that person received
greeting In return from Mrs. Eaton.
presently Mrs. Eaton began to talk to
every body In general. What wonderful
country the United States was, she said, and
how the poor, com mon people had an oppor-
tunity to receive all the different represen ta-
tive people of the various foreign countries,
Just as she and Mrs. Polk were receiving
them that day. And she and Mrs. FOLK sne
said came from the very poorest walks OF lie.
Mrs Polk there, she said, who was receiving
so beautifully, was only the daughter OF
tavern keeper, who used to entertain the
Huntsville, Ala. And she herself, Mrs.
Eaton, was the daughter of q poor Irish
boarding house keeper. After this brilliant
little speech, the accomplished MIS-. Eaton
trIpped down the steps of the white house,
never to return.