The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-24

I the social potency to which his studi-
GUS nature and his association, with tn.
| worlds brightest minds entitled him
The charm OF his manner contributed
| largely to his success as n promoter
OF American interests abroad aud. his
! public life ended. continued to attract
hosts OF pilgrims to hospitable Moati-
cello.
His intimate friends. Madison and
Monroe--"the two Jamcses," as they
were called in Virginia--wcre as un-
like as two men possibly could be. Tho
former was bookish, shy, almost re-
ciusc from society viewpoint Had
the latter been shorn OF his ability as
statesman he would SIN have re-
| manned carpet knight OF nigh do
gree, so pronounced was his social nt-
ness. Even in his early manhood when
he was sent to France az a special
commissioners for his government.
james Monroe achieved a social con-
quest mora positive than that OF The
! Irresistible DR.. Franklin. This p.c-
eminence as society man was main
tained throughout all his public career
Andrew Jackson was the first Pres
!dcnt who was not man OF notable
intelligence. marked culture and .x-
perienced craftsmanship. His meta
inorphosis from tho rude product OF
the Carolina wilderness into "a great
general ana later into the most popu-
lar chief executive America has cyet
had save Washington and I.iucoin. is
one OF the most wonderful pages In the
history OF the nation. Although his
ignorance hedged him In like a wall,
high and impenctrablc, he surmounted
1t and by the might OF his personality
managed to make a very respectable
showing In the social world Al
though he did not believe that the
world was spherical. he was made an
honorary member OF tina most exciu-
sive geographical society in existence.
At the time OF his election to ths
presidency he had read only one BOOB
THE Vicar OF Wakchcld"-- from be-
, ginning to end, but he received the
degree of doctor OF laws from Harry
! ard. Although his whole life had been
an open defiance to the mandates OF
polite society. he was welcomed effu-
sively by the most exclusive set in
Washington when he went 10 the White
House.
VIM buren, Man of Easy Manners.
Much of this amazing transforms
| ton was brought about by the clever
ness OF Martin Van Buren,, Old IIicit-
ory's devoted friend ana successor.
Probably no other man in America
had so much to do with the election
of John Quincy Adams from the PRES
idential chair and the seating there
in of the hero OF New Orleans. In do
| Ing this, he outwitted Adams, Clay,
Webster and all tho other politicians
who were In opposition to the scheme.
Van Buren, was one of the most pl ant,
| polite and courteous of men. 1t was
| one. of his fundamental principles new,
CT to give offense to any one and new
er TO appear to notice an injury. His
| Influenza over General Jackson-who
regarded him as the very beau ideal
| OF statesmaa-was unbounded. An
adept In social forms, Van Buren,, then
| Vlce-President. took 1T OH himself to
ipreyent any conflict between General
Jacksons native crudenes3 and the DO ;
lite society of the capital. and lie sue
ceedcd most admirably. IN 1881 Daniel
| Webster wrote to a friend In regard
to- Van Buren's efforts to secure an
| entrance into society for a certain lady
whom the President admired:
"Nrr. Van Buren, has evidently. at
this moment, quite the lead In inlu-
ence and Importance. He controls all
i tho pages on tho back stairs and fat
ters what seems ut present the Aaron's
serpent among the Presidents desIr.s
"a settled purpose OF making out the
| lady of whom so much has been said
a person of reputation. It is odd
enough. but too evident to be doubt
ed. that the consequences Of this dis
pute in the social and fashlona bic
world is producing great political ef-
fects and may very probably deter
l mine who shall be successor to the
present. chief magistrate"
I Webst.r's words were prophetic
Van Ruren's efforts in this instance
and in many others of "a similar nature
were so pleasing to General Jackson
that Mt the next election he threw all
the weight of his great influence in
| favor of the man who had smoothed
his social pathway so acccptably
Roth the Iiarrisons were men OF edu-
cation aid fGlr. Sociul auui nnaant Ill