The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-05-03
PROTOTYPE OF MRS. EEWEY
AomiraFs Entrance Into Politics Re.
Calls Dolly Madison's Conduct of
Her Husbands Campaign.

SSoA "usoauu campaign.
Mrs. Dewey's projection of her hus
band into politics for to her the world
gives credit for the admirars sudder
entrance into the political arena
serves to call to mind another woma,
VINO, II she did not personally secure
the election Of her husband, was a,
least responsible to u very great de
gree Tor the success OF his administers
tlon. This was Dolly Madison, who
through her husbands two terms as
president AMI through the administra
ZION OF Jefferson, enjoyed popularity
perhaps unsurpassed by that of any
otbcr mistress OF the White House.
James Madison was not particularly
welt qualified for the presidency, de-
spite the fact that his ad administrations
are considered very successful ones.
He was student rather than states.
man, end preferred the quiet Of his
library to the excitement and the labor
OF Il presidents life. He was delicate
In health and retiring in disposition.
Lad he possessed wife Of different
character he probably would have
been failure 90 u president-cOu he,
indeed, have attained that position
without her help. Madison certainly
owed much to tho tact OF his wife
ever now her influence can be seen be-
hind some OF his bolder acts.
Greatest among those VINO give Dolly
Madison mOrc credit than Madison
himself for the success Of his admins.
tration is James G. Blaine. In one OF
his published letters he declares :
Mrs. Madison saved the administra-
ton OF her husband, held him back
from the extremes Of Jeilersonism, and
enabled him to escape from the terri
hle. dilemma Of the war of 1872. But
for> her De Witt Clinton would have
been chosen president in 1872"
Mr.. Blaine probably ovcrestimatcd
the value Of Dolly Madison's services
to her husband, out she could have
done far less than he gives her credit
for and still deserved TO be rcmcmbe1-
cd in American history.
Mrs. Madison WIS well acquainted
with the social forms Of Washington
life, just as Mrs. Dewey now is, before
her husband became president. Dur
ing the administration Of Jefferson,
under whom Madison was secretary Of
State, she was practically the first
lady OF the lam, for she almost always
presided at the lead Of the White
House table at dinLer parties 1t Ia
recorded that at a state dinner to
which many of the diplomats were
invited jefferson offered her his arm
to take her out. She, more tactful,
whispered to him to take Mrs. NJ Marry,
the wife Of the British ambassador.
lie persisted and she was obliged to
yield, and Mrs. Merry, feeling deeply
lnsuitcd, entered the dining room on
the arm of her husband. Because Of
this incident MIR. Merry complained to
his Mt ,f i
secured his recall.
Party spirit VAS never higher nor
jntrigues more common in the United
States than at the time Madison be.
came president. Harmonizing these
elements was ditiionlt, and
TO Mrs. MadisOn's tact is due the fact
that some Of these political fcuds did
not result in an outbreak serious to
the State. At her table enemies met
who would hardly speak to each other
ewhere, and for the time forgot
their differences.
Mrs. Madison was clever, vivacious
and talented, though not in any sense
learned. She was always dcsirous of
pleasing, and always refraincd from
saying any word that might entangle
her husband and might wound the feel
lngS OF others. Sac used to declare
that shea rather iish with her hands
than with her tongue.
y letter written by a Virginia lady,
who knew Mrs. Madison well aa she
was almost 100 years ago, gives a bet
ter idea OF her personality than can
any newly-madc description. An eX-
tract follows
My recollections OF Mrs. Madison
are OF the most agreeable nature, and
al f,,T,
acquaintance, beginning in my child
hood and ending only with her life.
She had sweet natural dignity OF
manner. which attracted while it com
manded respect; q proper degree OF
reserve without stiffness in company
with strangers and q stamp OF frank
ness and sincerity, which, with her in
tlmate friends, became gayety ard
piaytulness OF manner. There was,
too, cordial, genial, sunny atmos-
phcre surrounding her which won all
hearts-and was one OF the secrets OF
her popularity. She was said to be,
during Mr.. Madson's administration,
the most popular person in the United
States, and she certainly had re-
markablc memory for names and faces.
No person introduced to Mrs. Madison
at ono OF the crowded levees at the
White House required q second pre-
sentation in meeting her again, but
had the qualification OF being re-
cogniZed and addressed by name"
Washington Irving writes thus in q
letter to u friend OF his first experience
in the society Of Washington, whittier
he had gone to seek diplomatic ap
poiDtment.
In few minutes [ emerged into
the blazing aplendor Of Mrs. Madison's
drawing room. Here | was most yra.
clously received found Il crowded col.
lection OF great and little men. OF ugly
old women and bcautiful young ones,
and in ton minutes was hand in glove
with half the people in the assem-
blanCc.
Mrs. Madison is a fine, portlv,
buxom dame, who has a smile and q
pleasant word for everybody. Her sis.
tcrs, Mrs Cults and Mrs. Washington
are like the two merry wives of Wind
ser, but as to Jenny MadisOn-ah,
poor Jenny he is but q withered
little apple'John.'
Mrs. Madison WAS not without her
share OF woman's vanity, ard that In
very good proportion, too, it must be
confessed. Her letters written to a
friend IN Paris just before the war OF
1872 mainly concern clothes on one
lot OF linery sent her by her friend the
duty amounted to $4,000 and she