The Washington times., 1903-12-20
BY JAMES G. HOLLAND.

- and of course that was In the |
year Of our Lord 1870. Christmas !
dawned clear and beautiful on |
the Sabbath day. Early in the morning.
even while the brightness of the winter
stars had not been entirely dimmed by
rcseate hues in the eastern skies there
were strains OF vocal melody in the
air. Many of the colored folk who had
made the National Capital their Mecca
at the ending of the war between the
States. were up betimes singing Christ
mas hymns and the grand old corona
ton anthem welcomed the day as the
sun rose.
At that period Gen. L. s Grant was
nearing the end OF the second year OF
his first term as President OF the United
States. and Matthew Gault Emery, who
was Washington's last mayor. was
chief magistrate Of the municipality
The greatest war that had ever been
fought on any continent had been over
for more than four years. and the pas
sions engendered by the four years
struggle were gradually. If somewhat
slowly. being obliterated. All who had
engaged in rebellion against the Gov
eminent had already been pardoned for
their political offenses, for on the
Christmas Day OF 1869 Andrew john
son had issued a proclamation of gen
eral pardon and amnesty. and. ofhcial-
Is at least, so far as this country was
concerned. there was "on earth peace
good will toward men,"
Congress, according to the usual GUS
tom. had adjourned for the holiday re-
cess. but before doing so there had orig
mated matter that the few politicians
who remained in Washington during the
vacation could not place beyond the pale
of discussion Charles Sumner, the great
anti-slavery statesman. with the eman-
cipation Of slavery had found his prin-
cipaI occupation gone. but he created
sensation by appearing in new role
as an opponent of the Government. or.
more properly saying. as an adversary
of the Administration. General Grant
had in view the annexation OF the
island of santo Domingo. He had dis
patched General Babcock (who, il will
be remembered. was, in company, with
Levi p. Luckey. at one time Secretary
to President Grant. and well-known
young man of this city named Ben
Suter. swamped in the surf at Mos
quito Inlet. Florida. and drowned to
the island and received from him fay-
orable report which the President Just
before the holidays transmitted to the
Congress. Though Senator Sumner was
in his own prty in minority of one,
he was undaunted In his attack upon
the President. and served up a holiday
dish that made a little rift within the
lutte Of Christmas goodwill. The Sena-
tor called the President a usurper. and
fairly broke with all Of his supporters.
and many angry debates marked the
forthcoming Of Christmas week.
Quiet in All Official Quarters.
During the holiday week everything
was quiet at the Executive Mansion. as
the White House was then called. The
President established a rule not to re-
ceive a visitor from Christmas Day un-
I'll the day after the New Year opened.
who called on him in a business capac-
ity. and in the departments during that
period business was practically ended
each day at noon. Very few Congress-
men were IN town excepting those who
had business here. and they devoted
themselves mainly to social relaxation.
The Presidents father. Jesse r. Grant.
who was postmaster at Covington, KY,
was in the city, and guest at the Exc
cutive Mansion.
The Death Of Mr.. Belknap's Wife.
Oncial festivities were marred during
the week by the death Of Mrs. Belknap.
the estimable and beautiful wife Of the
Secretary OF War Beiknap. In conse-
auence of that sorrowfui event there
were no receptions on New Year day
at the residences OF the members Of the
Cabinet; nor did Senator Blaine keep
open house. as his habit was on the first
day Of the year. and the Vice President.
Schuyler Colfax. withdrew a notice he
had published Of a reception on tina,
date.
r. d. +. n. SOuthwortb. the authoress,
and a number OF citizens, however, had
notified the public that they would re-
ceive friends end callers and did so.
Major General Custer was in the city