Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-05-11
A Symbol and Cause p.,,y r-s's By cAr' J. Mec,srs

I But he had recovered his pious self
confidence the next DAY, Sept. z, when
he called upon The President. who knew
nothing Of Mrs Eaton's Philadelphia
visit or It's results However. when he
admitted instigaking the story and re
told It the President listened coldly.
I don't believe e. he said fatty.
1T was 1901
II think you're mistaken the Pres
ident told him. Indeed, am sure
Mr.. Undertake was present In Wash
ington the whole Of that year. Are you
sure Of that date2"
He must have been absent that
year" Campbell answered.
The President ushered him out and
Immediately launched his inquiry. He
learned by consulting Undertakes
books in the mans own handwriting
that Undertake had been In Washing
ton all Of 1891 up to February. 1892.
He summoned Campbell. confronted
him with the records, told him he was
to Mrs. Eaton. Campbell refused. He
said Jackson must have been mistaken
about the date.
We'll, what date was it9" the Presi-
dent insisted.
Il think it was 1885," Campbell
smirked
That answer convinced the President
that Campbell was determined 70 per-
secute Mrs. Eaton in spite Of proofs Of
her innocence. That summer had been
consumed by his agents IN tracking
down every one Of the seven charges
contained in Elys letter. Not q scintil-
Ia Of evidence had been found to con-
firm any of them. On September 10 he
convened his cabinet TO clear her name
and ne commanded the presence o.
both Ely and Campbell.
jackson at once expressed his con-
tempt for calumny IN general and the
attack on Mrs. Eaton's character In
particular. He dashed out at Camp
bells two different versions of his "foui
tale" and called attention to the dis
parity between his first date OF 1921
and his second of 1896 He called on Ely
to give his version and Ely, wiping the
sweat from his face. admitted there
was no evidence to convict Maj. Eaton
Of improper conduct"
Nor Mrs. Eaton. either. She is as
chaste as virgin" the President de-
elared, disdaining the two living bio
logical proofs to the contrary.
Il stand ready to prove in q court
Of justice more than have said" de-
clared the crusader and Withdrew hur-
riedly under the slash Of the Presi-
dents eyes.
THAT is ALL" the President dismiss
ed them. II wanted to prove TO you the
falsity Of the scandals about Mrs. Eat
ems actions. have done so. I shall
cordingly."
If he really meant that he was ask
ing for the impossible. The daughter OF
an innkeeper, she had climbed to
high social position. She was beauti-
full, charming and witty. She attracted
men as honey attracts bees. The hand
and tongue Of every stupid dowdy,
homely. and unattractive wife In Wash
nington was against her. On her they
declared war to the finishl
The war divided washington into
two camps-those who called on Mrs. /
Eaton and those who did not. Among |
the former were Minnie Bankhead, wife |
OF the British secretary, with q title |
In her own right; Mrs. William 7. /
Barry, the Kentucky thoroughbred wife /
Of the postmaster general: Anne Royal,
Americas first woman reporter and /
Martin Van Buren,, widower and secre- /
tary OF state, who spirftedly championed |
Mrs. Eaton's cause and became her i
constant attendant and best friend. as |
he became the Presidents and Ma. |
Eaton's. bis conduct in this affair |
eventually made him President Of the /
United States.
Mrs. Calhoun, wife Of the Vice Pres- |
dent, led the forces against her, closely |
supported by the families Of Cabinet |
Ministers branch, InghRm. and Berrien. |
The latter two were the most assiduous |
spreaders Of scandal against Mrs. Eat
CA
President Jackson, after q struggle OF /
nearly two years to force the women 70 |
recognize Mrs. Eaton, determined TO
exert pressure upon them through their |
husbands. When Emily DonelSon join |
"a the enemy and Peggy Eaton pro
tested to him he packed Andrew jack
con Donelson, his nephew and private ]