The Washington herald., 1909-08-01

With the death last week Of Mrs Bette
Taylor Cambridge. daughter Of President
Zachary Taylor. the list OF women who
we're actively connected with the social
and political life Of Washington City in
the first half century OF It's being ends.
Though Mrs. cambridge was not in the
Executive Mansion long enough 10 figure
very largely In local annals, her father
dying there after about sixteen months
tenure OF Office. she is clearly remem-
bered for the grace with which she bore
herself IN very trying circumstances, and
her ever ready sympathy with all in dis
tress seemed the keynote OF her char
acter,
The White House was more or less a
vale Of tears for the FIVE years Just be-
fore and after the period Of her residence
there, for IN that time two Presidents
were carried % the grave from its doors,
and the wife Of President Tyler also.
An old Congressman Of that period was
mentioning the Inauguration or President
Taylor a few days ago. He declared that
the President made more mistakes Of eti-
quette than any one in his position, be-
fore or since, but "he had a heart" and
that lovely daughter, Mrs. Bliss, always
smoothed over things with the gentlest
tact.
Il remember" said he, the inaugural
bali OF President Taylor particularly be-
cause Of the sharp contrast between the
pretty girlish figure OF this lady. clad In
the same peculiar shade Of blue that now
bears the name OF another daughter Of
the White House. holding her fathers
arm as they passed down the long fight
OF steps that led from the City Hail 10
the temporary building that had been
run up for the occasion. Taylor looking
as II he would like 10 escape the ordeal
and take refuge at a soldiers camp FIRE.
she with face alight with pride in him.
half holding him. half clinging 10 him"
The aged wife Of old Rough and
Ready" took no interest IN the political
exaltation Of Taylor; indeed, she seemed
almost to regret his selection, saying II
was a plot 20 deprive her OF him. he had
given the best years Of his life 70 his
country, and his latter years should be-
long TO her Her foreboding was jusu-
fed by events for sixteen months after
the brilliant ball Taylor's body was borne
down the Avenue followed by the old
war horse he was never 10 use again;
and the brief but brilliant career OF his
daughter as FIRST lady came TO a tragic
close.
In the passing OF Mrs. Letitia Tyler
Semple and Mrs. Harriet Lane-Johnson
this city lost other two "frst ladies',
though like Mrs. Bliss cambridge. neither
was wife OF the Executive. These two
splendid women were identified with the
city 50 long ard 50 actively that descrip-
ton Of them is needless save in the
strong similarity Of their minds. and the
strange dissimilarity Of their fate Mrs
Semple passed n beautiful blind old age
IN the Louise Home. admired and cOurted
in her poverty. through the strength OF
her personality, equally with the days
Of prosperity-out OF her tiny pension
from her husbands services in the Mexi-
can war she saved enough 10 erect a
monument at Williamsburg in memory OF
the William and Mary College boys who
fell in the war; blind paralytic, and over
eighty, she unveiled this shaft herself, at
the request OF the governor OF Virginia
Mrs. Johnson with wider opportunities.
has memOriauZed herself In the splendid
school ''for the education Of choristers."
IN memory Of her two boys who died
while members OF a similar band. erected
IN Cathedral Close, a tribute 70 her love
for her children and for the city where
tIe-happiest part OF her childhood was
passed.
Notwithstanding the vicissitudes Of
changing administrations and days Of
war. as we'll as days Of peace. which the
Federal city has experienced since II
was created, its social destenies have al
ways rested in capable hands. The city
has always had brilliant women leaders
from the date OF It's crude beginning 70
the present. But the leaders Of the first
half century shine with peculiar luster
from the very rawness Of the background
OF the picture. II must have been diff
cult to practice the social graces IN the
half-hnished White House, without lamps
enough TO so around, az IN Mrs Abigail
Adams day; or TO meet social engage
ments when ones chariot stalled in a
mud hole on the Avenue as was Mrs.
Hamilton's fate To fee gracefully from
an enemy bent on burning the house over
your head. al the same time preserving
enough poise 10 carry with you the State
papers and cheerful spirit, required in
tellectual and social finish OF a higher
order than is demanded by the polished
present-day period. Therefore, these
earlier social heroines deserve The warmer
mention.
Probably the most commanding figure
among these long dead leaders is that of
Mrs. Dorothy Payne Madison. but her
memory is stir so fresh. by reason OF
the deep impression she made on the
hearts and minds OF her country women.
that description Of her is needless. From
her babyhood life was full Of contrasts
for this favorite OF fortune: her parents
were Quakers. but her mother used 10
sew the long sunbOnnet and mitts on
her little daughter each morning. so thar
she could not expose her lovely skin 10
the sun; and the grandmother. a rich
saRs worldly old lady, gave the darling
baby some gems that the faith Of the
Quaker mother would not let Dolly wear;
so the little girl tied her treasures In a
bag and wore them next her neck on the
inside OF her gown, and. blackberry hunt
ing one day. lost the treasure. which
was the first big sorrow Of her life Much
o. Quaker serenity, mingled with the
natural gayety Of her disposition and
the warm-hearted hospitality OF the
South mingling with the dignity and can
dor OF the North In her makeup It is
i said that Dolly Madison made the White
/ House ring with good cheer. music
dancing. and conversation being always
/ the order Of the gathering, whether large
or small Long after the period OF her
/ Official activities were ended, Mrs. Madi-
/ son held court here. and every recorded
/ occurrence in the city mentions the pres
] elce Of Mrs. Madison. The corner stone
+ Of Washingtons Monument was dedi-
/ Gated under her eye. 'Tis said that there
was little doubt in the minds Of her ad-
/ mirers that had Tom Moore been so
/ fortunate as to meet with her. or 20 par
/ take OF her hospitality. he would have
not .disgraced his pen with the unkind
/ comments on the infant city he so freely
INDUCED 81. But though Mrs. Madison
was practically the lady in charge dur
/ ing Jenerson's administration. as his
daughters were too young for the respon-
| sibility Of social duties, she happened 70
| be away al the timt of MOOre's soinnrn