The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-08
To Washington Fell the
Task of Establishing
Precedent.
Mrs. Washington Had
Exact Forms Which She
Carefully Followed.
The Housewarming of
1.-THE White House Under
Abigail Adams.

II n all monarchicaI countries fashion
and etiquette are fixed by the Gus
II toms OF the court The rules gov
le-ning the social life Of the court have
come down practically unchanged from
| the remote past, so that a precedent is
found for every situation. and no new
/ problems are presented for solution.
! When the colonies had wresJed their
/ independence from Great Britain. and
I George Washington had been elected
first President Of the United States, not
! least among the problems presented TO
! him for solution was the establishment
OF usage for the republican court" Of
which he was, the head Without prece-
dents TO guide him. his was the task 70
inaugurate a system Of entertaining and
social intercourse which should preserve
the dignity OF his position. and at the
same time conserve the spirit OF democ-
racy, for which the Government stood;
20 give ofrense neither to the ministry OF
foreign nations nor 20 the radicals of
his own.
The plans adopted by him and carried
out with the assistance OF Mrs. Wash
ington. and the customs OF the various
succeeding Administrations, form the
official social customs OF the country, 70
which all others, whether Americans or
foreigners. must adapt themselves. And
since the cornerstone of the Executive
Mansion was laid by Washington him
self. during his first Administration
though occupied first by his successor,
this century-lOng sequence may be term
ed the social life OF the White House.
The Problem Serious
Washington had perspicacity enough
20 realize that social questions might,
unadjusted, involve politics and policies,
and even the fate OF the new republic
That he was right in this has been
many times proven. The serious inter-
national correspondence with England
over the fact that on one occasion
Thomas Jefferson took in to dinner Mrs
Madison instead of the wife of Mr. Mer-
~. the British minister, Is the in
stance. The very bargain which brought
the seat Of government to Washington
was the result OF a dinner. Functions
at the White House have many times
been powerful factors IN the forming OF
Presidential policies and the confirma-
tion OF nominations. Jackson's cham
pionship Of Mrs. Eaton-Peggy O'Neill-
created more than a social turmoil, in
volving the resignation of his Cabinet
Van Buren's espousal OF Mrs. Eaton's
cause resulted in his selection TO sue
coed Old Hickory. Instances Of the
bearing OF social matters on political
might be extended indefinitely.
Washington fOresaw all this, and 10
his Cabinet propounded a series Of ques-
tions: Should he exclude himself from
all kinds of company? Would one day
per week suffice for visits Of cOmpn-
ment? Would II involve disagreeable
consequences for the President to re-
ceive persons on business? Whether Con-
gressmen could be entertained at small
dinners IN rotation without friction? If
four great annual receptions would not
suffice? II 1t would be improper for the
President 70 visit informally? In fact.
these questions embrace nearly every
point experience has proven 10 be sig
nihcant- In submitting these questions
10 Vice President Adams, Secretary
Jay, Secretary Hamilton, and Mr.. Madi-
son. Washington said that 1t was as
well 10 start right as wrong, and that
small matters might develop into those
OF consequence.
Vice President John Adams forecast
ed somewhat the social tone which was