The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-03

| have ridden horseback up to the Capito
for his inauguration. as goes the myth, bu
| he meant to have fine coach and four TO
:. to Washington with them in season. III
| may sometimes have been carelessly at
| tired, but often he flashed out in contem
| let breeches and vest and white silk hose
| fit to figure on Vatican fam
THE accession of Mr.. Jefferson was thu
climax Of a bitter and fierce political con
parties. the issues of which were, in some
respects. not unlike those of the last elsc
ton The electoral college failed to maxi ak
| House Of Representatives. which. after .
protracted controversy. chose Thomas JEFF
ferson. The Republican party came int
and most experienced statesman, who hat
| filled during many years of continued serv'
| ice many high places. The time and cir
eumstances were rife with evil forebodings
but notwithstanding the bitterness and
partisan rancor of the popular controversy
the failure of the electoral college to make
in the House of Representatives, the sim
pie and unostentatious inauguration tes-
titled to the abiding faith OF. the people in
government by the people and for the
centennial anniversary attest the conf
dence of a law-abiding people in the sta
bility of the Government.
No Restraints on Visitors.
'The first Inauguration of Mr.. Jefferson
was the beginning of the era of republic
an simplicity which he sought to establish
as the rule and guide of official life. His
intense aversion to monarchial government
and detestation of court etiquette and cera-.
simplicity and informality. He fought the
phantom of Imperialism with the shiboleth
Of social equality. and sought to abolish
course formulated and put into practice by
Washington, which, with slight modi1ca-
tion. continues in operation at the present
Washington and John Adams. but held
two receptions-New Year Day and the
Fourth of July.
to order or rank, or the comfort of the
guests Persons were also permitted to call
at other times. as they might please. He
to sss se to soea GSs or
ficially. Mr.. Jefferson did not, however
abolish the state dinners. They took place
as usual, and were conducted with quite
as much ceremony as during the admins
tratfon of Washington and John Adams
The fact that Mrs. Madison. the wife cf
the Secretary Of State, sometimes assisted
by one of his daughters. who might be on
visit to the President, presided on such
occasions Is conclusive assurance, If any
were needed, that the State dinners did not
lack in any of the appointments Of ele,,
people in high social life.
Contemporary writer's agree In the state
lieul tAdl NIL diWoyS appeared All
public in the dress Of an transformations
citizen.
Dinners Were Informal.
At the first inauguration, the Intelligencer
says, ''his dress was that Of plain citizen,
without any distinctive badge of Office"
His Dress as he rode to the Capitol writes
Davis, was of plain CLOTH" Senator Mitch
ell of New York, who attended Mr. .Jeffer-
sons first New Year Day reception, Janu-
ary, 1902, in a gossipy letter to his wife,
writes:
His dress and manners are very plain;
he is grave, or rather sedate, but without
any ttncture of pomp, ostentation or pride.
and occasionally can smile, and both hear
and relate humorous stories as well as any
other man of social feelings
THE Senator is also responsible for the
statement that President Jefferson had gen.
orally eight or ten persons to dine with him
every day. The dinner was neat and plen-
tiful,' and the company was easy and So
ciable.' No healths were drunk at the "a
BILE nor any toasts Of sentiments given aft
er dinner. Every one drank as. he pleased
and conversed at his ease. In this way ev-
cry guest drank to the digestive or social
other man social feelings
Senator Mitchell seems to have been a
favorite guest at many social dinners and
other notable occasions, which gave him
opportunities for observation which could
not fhave been enjoyed by many, but ne
faiIsito note the crude and discourteous in-
nevHtiona and informa1ities alleged to have
social and officiai lite during the regime Of
'eeNh!tneH simplicity Ht1 description OF !