The National tribune., 1901-02-14

1881, when Horace Maynard was appoint
ed to fill the unexpired term. Charles
DeyenS, of Massachusetts, was made AT
tOrney- General.
Sometimes Cabinet officers get dow
from their high perch of decorum and in
dulge in joke upon each other.
Judge Key had the name of being the
jolliest man, and Gen. Deyens was neal
second. Ii Secretary Sherman ever told {
story or cracked joke it was all the more
enjoyed because of its rarity. An amusing
incident has been handed down as occur
ring between Secretary Thompson anC
Judge Devens, Attorney-General. AT ont
of the Cabinet meetings Secretary ThOmp
son presented a list of Midshipmen who
had passed their examination. The Sec
retary called attention to them, and said
| he would like to have their nomination foi
| promotion to Ensigns sent to the Senate as
soon as possible, 'as they are worthy
young men who have thoroughly earned
| their spurs."
MIR. Thompson" broke in Mr.. Devens,
how long have they been wearing spurs in
| the navy?"
While the President was struggling with
affairs political, Mrs. Hayes was active in
inaugurating new social policy. She ex'
ercised a greater influence over public af-
| fairs than any woman had since Dolly
! Madison. She was a tall, dignified-looking
woman. The whole expression of her face,
| from the broad, intellectual forehead,
which was always visible below the hair,
worn in the old way, over her ears, to the
| firm mouth and well-rounded chin, i'm
pressed one as being in the presence of q
well-balanced, highly-cultured woman. No
| one came into her presence and under the
! influence of her magnetic voice and pleas
| ant smile who was not unconSciouSly
! drawn toward her. No more gracious
woman ever extended the hand of hospital
! ity in the White House than Lucy Webb
Hayes.
New Years Day has been always cele-
brated at the National Capital in the man
ner which President Washington inau-
gurated when the Federal Government
was located in New York. The Diplomatic
Corps and the Government dignitaries 90
IN state to pay their respects to the Presi-
dent, after which the old Knckerbocker
customs of open house" is generally OBJ
served.
So far as the public is concerned, how
ever, the custom is falling somewhat into
disuse.
One is certain to see at the White
House, on New Years Day, all the promi-
nent people, men and women, of Wash
ingtOn.
The New Years receptions under the
Hayes Administration were quite in keep
ing with all that had gone before, but prob
ably among all the festivities none ex-
celled the silver wedding of the President
| and Mrs. Hayes, which was observed on
Dec. 81, 1877.
The vestibule, halls, corridors and state
apartments were elaborately trimmed with
flags, ferns and flowers. 1t was intended
to be quiet social and unostentatious en-
tertalnment. 1t was the first celebration
of the kind that had ever occurred in the
White House. The Green, Red and Blue
Parlors were gorgeous in tropical plants.
The mantels were banked with brilliant
flowers, the crystal chandeliers were fes-
tooned with smilax. The members of the
Cabinet, with their families, with very few
exceptions, were the only official people in
yited, with many old friends and asso-
GATES. Gov. Dennison, whose wedding the
President attended 80 years before, was
there. Chief Justice and Mrs Waite, old
friends, were there; also Mrs. Admiral
Dahigren, at whose first wedding the
President was guest. Invitations out of
the city were to those who were present
at the wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes,
which took place in an unpretentious house
on Eighth street, in Cincinnati, IN 1852.
1he ceremony was performed by the Rev.
DIR. l.. ID. McCabe, of Delaware, who was
present at the Silver Wedding Mrs. VIII
bur, head Of the Wesleyan College, with
Mrs. John G. Mitchell, Mr.. and Mrs John
w. Heron, and DR.. and Mrs. Davis, with
some others were there.
The wedding party was called TO dinner
at 10 o clock. 1t was spread in the State
Dining-rOom, which had been elaborately
decorated for the occasion with cut flow
ers and plants. The bill of fare included
every delicacy imaginable, but no beverage
except coffee.
1t is well known that Mrs. Hayes inau-
gurated new order OF things when she
became mistress of the White House. She
brought with her her well-grounded princi-
pies of total abstinence, which it will be
remembered was so much of an annoyance
to Mr.. Evarts that he refused to permit
the Diplomatic Corps to be invited to their
customary annual dinner unless wine could
be served.
This Mrs. Hayes refused to allow, and
all the state dinners served while she pre-
sided over the White House were strictly
temperance banquets. The table groaned
with delicacies; the devices of the confec-
TONERS were maryels; never had a more
bountiful hand displayed hospitality, and
yet-shame upon those who were the au-
thors Of 1.-THE word was started, and
rung in the air. that lit was economy, not
principle, that actuated Mrs. Hayes" but
the position she took upon the wine ques-
ton will always be to her q crown of glory.
She had keen insight into the forms and
shams of life, and her views differed ma
ltIlaHs many Dul Candid
person fails TO believe that her decision
was not from deep conviction. There was
in her character a combination OF intel
lectual force and deep tenderness of heart.
In her portrait, which hangs in the White
House, the gift of the temperance women
of the country, she shows a striking face,
with a soft, tender expression of the eyes
and mouth, broad, intellectual brow; the
thick brown hair is brought smoothly
down her face, and simply coiled at the
back
The White House is honored by having
on its walls the picture Of a woman who
dared to do according to her convictions.
The 4th Of March, 1881, President and
Mrs. Hayes Joined the procession of fami-
lies which the people have chosen to rep
resent them as the years have come and
gone in the Nations homestead, and
walked out, leaving many sacred memo
ries. Mrs. Hayes left hallowed atmos-
phere, which emanated from the sunlight
of her nature; a sweet benediction for all
women who shall come after her.
A few years later swift-winged mes
sengers brought the tidings of her having
passed other portals through the dark val
ley into the golden sunset of peace. A
sense of sorrow and loss pervaded every
home that knew and honored her name.
LINCoLN's BIRTHDAY,
Feb. IL, 1901
(By Corp'l i. Allerton, of the 16gth N v