Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-14
the jockey. thus admonished. secured the
little Democrat.


had moved into Washington from Ken
lucky, and, in addition to being democrats,
We're subject to the opprobrfous epithet of
western" or frontier people. Her mother,
MRS. Blair was woman of rare beauty
and vigorous mind and one of the wing
siurS was that she was the head OF the
Family In every sense and wrote all of
"old man Blair's' editorials The social
gifts of the Blairs, however. were equal to
the occasion, and with real human SYM
pathy in abundance and quicknesS to take
care of themselves in any exchange of wit,
they were able to establish their social po-
sition In Washington without reference to
their Virginia and Maryland ancestry and
connections. This was true democratic
pluck and the. source, no doubt, of the
sympathy which Mrs. Lee always felt for
newcomers to Washington.
President Buchanan was a friend OF
Mrs. Lee. He had been a defender of
Jackson in the Senate and his fancee, who
died before they could be married, was
family for whom Mrs Lee had the most
friendly feeling.
Visits the Hermitage.
When Gen. Jackson left the White House
for home he Travelled in his own carriage
with his usual white horses. Like all pop
ular heroes, he was not without his crowd
attendant of tuft hunters, an amusing Illus
tration occurring as the old general pro-
t:co. lady perceiving that he had kissed
his young friend, not yet out in society,
goodbye, exclaimed to her husband: "Oh,
Mr.. X, he has kissed that child goodbye,
and we came all the way from New York
and he hasn't kissed me- The general
heard her, and, lifting his hat with, his
usual politeness, said: Madam, l have
never kissed another mans wife in all my
life" and then shook her cordially by the
hand. In saying this Gen. Jackson doubt
less, was not only making his excuses to
the lady, but was also taking shot at ms
political adversaries who had criticised his
marriage 10 Mrs. Jackson, to whose memory
he ever maintained the most tender and
romantic fidelity
Having promised him to pay him visit
at the Hermitage, in the last year OF his
and her brother, Lieut.. James l.. Blair of
the navy went to Tennessee, where they
had a delightful visit at the Hermitage,
and where Miss Blair then grown to wom-
said he could not live long and gave her
to keep in his memory his wife's wedding
ring, a piece of jewelry he had always
worn on his watch chain from the death
Of Mrs. Jackson up to that time.
Another ring he gave her was one pre-
scented by Mrs. Eliza w. Gusts to Gen.
Jackson the ,22d of February, 1928. and
which Mrs. GUSTS sent him by the hand OF
Lafayette with letter saying:
1.-The birthday of Washington is the fit
time for a tribute of respect to him whose
glorious achievements place him next to
the father of our country.
ION this day present to Gen. jackson
ring of the hero's hair, of the color it was
when he led our soldiers to victory-ft was
made in this city and of American gold.
Wear it in remembrance OF him who
was first in the hearts of our country and
of her who gives it to you, with her best
wishes for your health and happiness.
ITO Gen. Jackson"
To this Gen. Jackson sent fitting reply:
The Van Buren, Administration.
During the Van Buren, administration the
Globe continued to be the organ of the
democratic party and Miss Blair enjoyed
things social to the fullest extent. The
Van Burens were very bright and witty
family Maj Van Buren,, one Of the
sons Of the President being especially noted
for his brilliant wit and social accomplish
ments. She, however, was more attached
to Martin Van Buren,, jr., than any mem
Der of the. family, whose intelligence and
pure character not only appealed TO her,
but also his state of health, being threat
ened with consumption, of which he ultl-
mately died, as she herself had never ex-
pected to reach maturity. being always
delicate. Under the excellent management
of her mother she regained her health
President Van Buren, was a widower, and
Miss Blair was always impressed by his
close relationship to his children, he being,
in spite of his political and official duties,
a mother as we'll as a father to his family.
One of President Van Buren's standing
Jokes was the sale of Roanoke an old
thoroughbred horse. that the Van Buren,
boys regularly sold to their father when
ever in need of funds. Mrs. Blair. ST., never
altogether liked President Van Buren,, VINO
was called by his political opponents The
Red Fox" which opinion she seemed to
think was more or less well founded, put
this never led to any estrangement be-
tween the families. as is shown by the fact
ington he presented Mrs. Blair with
painting Of himself, saying facetiously,
Madam, you will like 1t because 1t mas
has rather a foxy look" This portrait or
Van Buren, still hangs In the OLD mouse at
Silver Springs and the red side whiskers
and the acute expression are sufficiently
emphasized in it to show upon what Mr..
Van Burens caricaturists based their eff
forts.
Long-Deferred Returns.
In those days 1t was a long time before
the news of an election was received. and
whether Mr.. Van Buren, was defeated or not
hung in the balance until the returns from
some pivotal state could be received Final
ly these returns came in and Mr.. Blair, ST.,
Martin Van Buren,. jr., and Miss Blair
started out from Washington with the sad
news for the President of his defeat. He
was living at country home on Woodley
lands and his family. When the party
reached the gate Mr.. Blair and Martin, de-
claring that they could not bear to take
him, the news. turned off and Miss Blair
was delegated to inform him. He happened
to be in the yard and helped her from her
horse and, judging the result perhaps from
her sympathetic eyes. relieved her by say
ing my dear, it is unnecessary for you to
tell me- / saw those two towards ride past
the gate and know that if their news had
been good they would have come with YOU"
She always enjoyed this allusion to her
father and Martin Van Buren,, and cited 1t
as an instance of Mr.. Jackson's quick per-
ceptfon and tact.
Van Buren's administration ended in 1S41
and the democrats, being out of Office, in
1912 Francis P. Blair purchased his estate
at Silver Spring, in Montgomery county.
and built his house there. This old house is
now the home of Mrs. Lee. The place takes
its name from the spring. which is a re-
ma rkab BILE natural object the water gushing
to the surface, throws up the mica sand
and gives in the sunshine the appearance Of
silver.
Witnesses a Dramatic Scene.
The most dramatic scene she ever wit
messed, and one that greatly impl cssed her,
took place in the library of the Silver
Spring house between her father and John
c. Breckenridge. Mr., Clay was her moth