The National tribune., 1900-11-15

The court of Martin the First was pro-
nounced remarkable for its stupidity. The
White House was opened but twice dur
ing the Winter. The Cabinet officers
closed their doors and kept in the retire
ment of home life, which was in striking
contrast to the brilliant fetes given by the
former Cabinet.
Thus it came, when dullness hung like
pail over society, that Congress actually
adjourned to see the great enchantress,
Fanny Ellsler. This graceful goddess was
the most famous dancer in the world. She
literally turned the heads of her audience
and mag letized them by her exquisite
grace of motion.
One writer says: 1.-THE audience seemed
to have been changed by her Circean
power into shouting lunatics. Men and
women wed with each other in cheering.
Gentlemen hurled up their watch chains,
and rings were tossed on the stage, and
the fair sex stripped their arms of brace
lets and followed suit, until the stage
floor cleaned with the jewels at the feet
Of the adorable Ellsler, who stood veri-
table Danae in this shower of gold"
Maj. Van Buren,, the Presidents son,
married Angelina Singleton in 1888, and
brought her to the White House Her
first appearance was at tie New Years
Leyee, when, supported by the ladies of
the Cabinet, she received with the PTesi
dent. She is represented as being a woman
of rare accomplishments but
easy and graceful in manner. She spent
n Winter in Washington with her uncle,
Senator VIM. G. Preston, and was by APP
pointment arranged by Mrs. Dolly Madi-
son, presented to President Van Buren,.
She became q great fayoTitc in It's: presi-
dents family. In the following year, 1888,
she was married to the Presidents oldest
son.
A curious divergence came into party
lines. The MOrmons began to be a source
of trouble. They were the followers of
Joseph Smith, who had given them what
he called new bible. They first settled
in Missouri, and were driven away. They
then settled in NauyoO, in Illinois. Here
began the teaching of p0lygamous doc
trine. Smith was shot by mob, and
they moved to Utah and built Salt Lake
City.
In 1887 began the Patriots rebellion
in Canada. Many in the State of New
York were inclined to lend hand, but
President Van Buren, took precautiOn that
all attempts toward such an action should
be stopped.
The Abolitionists had begun in earnest
against slavery. In the North |
the people in general felt inclined to leave |
the responsibility with the South, and felt |
that the Abolitionists were stirring up |
strife and were IN no sort OF afiillatlOn |
with them. The right of petition was a |
question which engendered much feeling, |
and after a four years struggle Congress |
decided to receive any petitions that were
sent to it.
In 1889 w. Il. Harndon began carrying |
parcels between Boston and New York |
Out Of this small beginning has grown all |
the great express companies which now
DO the people such excellent service.
Political affairs began to take an I'M
usual turn. The clouds of the panic of |
81 were passing away, but the effects
remained. All these things have their eff |
feet on coming Presidential elections, and |
the cry of a change filled the air, and the
Wings were ready to promise prosperity |
if their candidate was elected for the |
next term.
The Democrats renominated Mr.. Van |
Buren,, and Richard NJ. Johnson for Vice |
President.
The Wings, prompted by the example |
in the nomination of Gen. Jackson. put |
aside their leading statesman, Henry Clay, |
and nominated VIM. Henry Harrison, as |
military renOwn was Il passport to pOpu- |
larity, and it had come to this in politics |
that the most available man must be |
and so the gauntlet was thrown |
between VIM. Henry Harrison and Martin
Van Buren,.