The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-04
PORTRAIT Of DOLLY
MADISON PRESENTED
CONTINUED from First page)

Continued from fIrst Pase.1 -.
face, Dolly. there are SO many staring
at thee"
In the year 1894 Aaron Burr In
troduced to her James Madison. the
great little Madison as ne was called.
HE came. he saw. she conquered.
In a few months they were married.
not after Quaker fashion, but accord
ing to the stately ceremonial OF the
Church of England. and sped away IN
a. coach and four to beautiful Mont-
pelier. his ancestral home in Virginia.
Back again in Philadelphia Madame
Dolly Madison. the wife of repre-
sentative in Congress, became a
dazzling star in the brilliant galaxy
of social life. She was the specia!
friend OF President and Mrs. Wash
ington and OF Thomas Jefferson.
In 1901, as the wife OF Mr.. Jeffor-
sons secretary of state, her popularity
and influence increased, and she was
known as queen Dolly
IN the year 1909 the wife of the
secretary of state became the mistress
of the White House, and for eight
years held a peculiar and fascinating
not her face. but the woman alto
gether."
The Quaker maiden had become the
most brilliant and fascinating social
! light of her day. The theatre of her
| charms was the whole country; she
reigned a queen OF tact and grace in
Philadelphia. In Washington and at
| Montpelier. and adorned with an inn
perishable lustre the administrations
of Washington, John Adams, Thomas
Jefferson and her quiet but mos;
| learned husband.
The city OF Washington was burned
I by the British tn fsf+, and the petted
social queen became fearless
/ heroine.
Her discretion and energy saved
many precious historical documents,
| and Gilbert Stuart,s splendid per-
| trait of Washington. which but for
her action might not hang on these
sacred walls today.
After the din and turmoil of many
years OF public life. James Madison
and his wife retired to the peaceful
and congenial shades of lovely Mont
! pelier
In her second widowhood she re-
| turned to Washington, and lived In
/ the house in Lafayette Square, now
owned by the COSMOS t5Ab.
Once more in this city, she held a
remarkable court. Distinguished
strangers and foreigners, senators and
representatives, the foremost men and
women: indeed, the whole little world
of Washington, did her homage
! On the Fourth OF July and on New
Years Day, the throng which did
| honor to the President, walked across
| the square to pay equal honor 10 the
widow, Dolly Madison.
Administration followed administra-
| ton, and still Mistress Dolly Madison
was a compelling factor of Washing
/ ton society.
Each President yielded her loyal
respect and Difference. and President
Polk led this young lady of eighty
eight summers. through the splendid
| rooms OF this very mansion at one ot
his Ievees in February, ls59.
In July of that year she departed
this life Her funeral correge consist
ed of the reverend clergy and her
own family, the diplomatic corps. the
Senate and House of Representatives,
the Supreme Court, the army and
navy, the mayor and corporation,
citizens and soldiers, Toe much honor
could not be accorded her.
In the light OF these Interesting
facts. my surprise may he imagined
when Mrs william Howard TAR. our
distinguished and honored hostess
informed ms about two years ago,
that no portrait of this fascinating and
Remarkable woman hung upon the
walls of the mansion which WIS her
home for so long time.
felt indeed that Virginia had left
| duty undone.
To- AIRS. Taft is due our gratitude for
/ tho timely suggestion which has ma
| terialized into our Offering today
! She Is the first cause Of ths presen-
/ tation Of our cherished gift, and we
desire to thank her for that Jealous
care OF this beautiful and historic
home which sees what should he here.
| and Immediately endcayors TO procure
| il.
In spirit OF modification and re-
<rct told The Virginia Colonial
Danes that there was no portrait Of
| Dolly Madison In the White House
and with instant enthusiasm they de-
cided to mako preparation for an IN
pardonabIe neglect of duty.
1t was decided 10 procure the best
possible copy of a portrait of this dis
! ttnguished woman. and Mrs. Sally
Nelson Robins. the historian Of
! the Society of the Colonial Danes
/ OF America in the State of Virginia
was appointed chairman for the Dolly
Madison portrait committee.
ON behalf and in the name Of the
Society Of Colonial Danes of Amer
/ lea in the State OF Virginia | present
10 YOU. Mrs. Taft this portrait TO hn
placed in the Executive Mansion Of the
Nation.
! 1t is singuIarly appropriate that
this. eSty of the Colonial 1'arn9s NJ
Virginia should be presented through
you, WHO are AT once Colonial Dame
| of Ohio formerly "A portion Of Wiz
ginia territory. and as the wife Of
the Nations chief executive. and the
mistress of this historic mansion, are
n worthy and notable success or Of
Mistress Dolly Madison.
Mrs. Robins will now tell us of the
painting OF the portrait.
Painting Of the Portrait.
Mrs. Robins told a very interesting