Perley's Reminiscences Part 26

CHAPTER x.x.xV.

THE GARFIELD INAUGURATION.

Washington City Crowded--The Weather Inclement--Military and Civic Procession--Crowds in the Senate Chamber--General Garfield's Mother, Wife, and Daughter--Hanc.o.c.k, the Superb--Plucky Phil Sheridan-- Decorated Diplomats--Installation of Vice-President Arthur--Majestic Scene in Front of the Capitol--The Inaugural and the Oath of Office --Grand Review--Inauguration Ball.

CHAPTER x.x.xVI.

CHANGES AND DISSENSIONS.

Republicans Deprived of Their Majority in the Senate--Rival New York Factions--Declaration of Hostility Against Senator Conkling-- Contest Over the Confirmation of the Collector of New York-- Resignation of Senators Conkling and Platt--Significant Speech by Senator Mahone--A Defiant Challenge--Inauguration of the Statue of Farragut--President Garfield at the College for Deaf Mutes.

CHAPTER x.x.xVII.

THE a.s.sa.s.sINATION.

Garfield's Domestic Felicity--His Masonic and Literary Relations-- The Garfield Family at the White House--Perplexities Environing the Administration--Mrs. Garfield the First Lady in the Land--Her Illness--The a.s.sa.s.sination--The Long Agony--Death of President Garfield--Funeral Ceremonies at Washington--Interment at Cleveland --Trial of Guiteau--His Conviction and Execution.

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII.

VICE PRESIDENT ARTHUR BECOMES PRESIDENT.

The Deplorable Calamity--Mental Anguish of Vice-President Arthur-- He Takes the Oath at New York, and Repeats it at Washington-- Individual Preferences Subordinated to Public Welfare--Principles of the New Administration--Executive Vetoes--Changes in the Senate --Leading Senators--Mr. Bayard President _Pro Tempore_ One Day-- Senator David Davis Chosen to Preside _Pro Tempore_.

CHAPTER x.x.xIX.

THE CENTENNIAL OF YORKTOWN.

President Arthur's Appearance--Reception of French and German Officers at Washington--Their Presentation to President Arthur at the Capitol--Display of Fireworks--The Yorktown Celebration-- Secretary Blaine's Entertainment to the Nation's Guests--Fete at the French Legation.

CHAPTER XL.

PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S ADMINISTRATION.

The Republicans Again in Power--A New Cabinet--Mr. Conkling Appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court--The Garfield Memorial Services at the Capitol--Mr. Blaine's Eulogy on the Deceased President--Attacks on the Administration--Daily Life of the President--The Star-Route Trials.

CHAPTER XLI.

GAY AND FESTIVE SCENES.

President Arthur's New Year's Reception--Dr. Mary Walker--Senator h.o.a.r's Welcome Dinner to Mr. Justice Gray--President Arthur's Dinner in Honor of General and Mrs. Grant--The Guests and what the Ladies Wore--Mr. Blaine's New Home--Marriage of Colonel Coppinger to Miss Blaine.

CHAPTER XLII.

THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT.

Senator Anthony's Fifth Term--His Election as President _Pro Tempore_, and Declination--Officers of the Senate--Democratic Tidal Wave in the House--Speaker John G. Carlisle--A Gay Washington Season --Good Dinners--Improvement of the Metropolis--Procession and Addresses at the Completion of the Washington Monument--An Exciting Presidential Campaign--The Result--Departure of General Arthur from the White House.

CHAPTER XLIII.

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.

The Metropolis Crowded--The Procession--Vice-President Hendricks Sworn In--The Inaugural--The President's Oath--Inauguration Ball-- The Cabinet--Secretaries Bayard, Manning, Endicott, Whitney, and Lamar--Postmaster-General Vilas--Attorney-General Garland--The Council Table.

CHAPTER XLIV.

OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL LIFE.

Executive Work--General Reception--Office-Seekers--Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland--A State Dinner at the White House--The Guests --Toilets of the Ladies--Sad Death of Mrs. and Miss Bayard--Mrs.

Secretary Whitney--Death of Vice-President Hendricks.

CHAPTER XLV.

THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

John Sherman President _pro tem._--The Fitz John Porter Debate-- Unpleasantness between Kansas and South Carolina--Senator Gorman, of Maryland--Senator Kenna, of West Virginia--General Manderson, of Nebraska--Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin--Wedding Present to Secretary McCook--Mr. Speaker Carlisle--Representative Breckinridge, of Kentucky--Drawing of Seats--Prominent Representatives--The Lobby, Male and Female.

CHAPTER XLVI.

THE PRESIDENT'S WEDDING Floral Decorations--The Bride's Attire--The Ceremony--The Marriage Supper--Departure of the Wedded Couple--Receptions at the White House--The Diplomats and their Ladies--Dinner Parties--The Leader of Society--Congress and the President--Vetoes--Office-Seekers-- Summer Recreations.

CHAPTER XLVII.

A SUMMING UP OF SIXTY YEARS.

Phenomenal Progress of Washington--Growth of the United States-- Proud Position of the Republic--Improvements at the National Capital --Tone of Society--War Demoralization--Plunderers and Impudent Lobbyists--Tone of Political Newspapers--Congressional Claimants-- Southern Influence--Shoddy and Veneer--A Literary and Scientific Centre--The Smithsonian Inst.i.tution, the National Museum, the Fish Commission, and other Scientific Collections--The Cosmos Club-- L'Envoi.

LIST OF ILl.u.s.tRATIONS [omitted]

LIST OF AUTOGRAPHS

JOHN ADAMS JAMES BUCHANAN THOMAS JEFFERSON JOHN P. HALE ABRAHAM LINCOLN E. E. ELLSWORTH HANNIBAL HAMLIN BENJAMIN F. WADE SIMON CAMERON SALMON P. CHASE A. E. BURNSIDE GEORGE G. MEADE JOSEPH HOOKER ROBERT E. LEE ANDREW JOHNSON JOHN A. LOGAN EDWIN M. STANTON HENRY B. ANTHONY WINFIELD S. HANc.o.c.k JEREMIAH S. BLACK CHARLES SUMNER U. S. GRANT JAMES MONROE SCHUYLER COLFAX HENRY WILSON MORRISON R. WAITE MATTHEW H. CARPENTER JAMES G. BLAINE FRANCIS E. SPINNER RUTHERFORD B. HAYES WILLIAM M. EVARTS ROSCOE CONKLING JOHN SHERMAN ELIHU B. WASHBURNE JAMES A. GARFIELD DAVID DAVIS PHIL. H. SHERIDAN CHESTER A. ARTHUR WILLIAM T. SHERMAN DAVID D. PORTER ROBERT T. LINCOLN W. W. CORCORAN GROVER CLEVELAND THOMAS A. HENDRICKS FRED. T. FRELINGHUYSEN BYRON SUNDERLAND

PERLEY'S REMINISCENCES.

VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

FOREIGN COMPLICATIONS AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

While President Buchanan was anxiously awaiting information from Central America, he received from Mr. Dallas, the Minister at London, notes of a conversation between himself and the Earl of Malmesbury, in which the English Minister said: "Lord Napier has communicated to the President the treaty negotiated by Sir William Gore Ouseley with the Minister from Nicaragua." It was believed that no objection had been expressed to its provisions. One of its objects was to terminate the Mosquito Protectorate. Now, this was virtually the relinquishment on the part of England of her construction of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and, of course, was very desirable news to Mr. Buchanan, yet Lord Napier had withheld it.

He either was disgusted at this settlement of the long-talked-of difficulty without his aid, or his devotion to a fair Southern widow had made him stupidly inattentive to what was going on. A hint to the English Government was thereupon given by Mr. Buchanan that his Lordship had better be transferred to some other post, and he was transferred accordingly.

Mr. Seward had endeavored to introduce Lord Napier into Republican society instead of that which Southerners had made so agreeable, and when he was recalled was mainly instrumental in getting up a subscription ball in his honor. It was given at Willard's Hotel, in the long dining-room, which had been decorated for the occasion with flags of all nations, mirrors, and chandeliers. At one end of the room, beneath full-length portraits of General Washington and Queen Victoria, was a raised dais, on which Lord and Lady Napier received the company. He wore a blue dress-coat with gilt diplomatic b.u.t.tons, white waistcoat, and blue trousers, and looked the "canny"

Scotchman and Napier that he was. Lady Napier wore a white silk ball-dress, with three flounces of white tulle, puffed and trimmed with black Brussels lace, a corsage, and a head-dress of scarlet velvet with pearls and white ostrich feathers. After the presentations the ball was opened with a quadrille, in which Lord Napier danced with Madame Limburgh, a daughter of General Ca.s.s, Mr. Ledyard and Mrs. Seward, Jr., being their vis-a-vis. In the same quadrille was Senator Seward and the beautiful Mrs. Conrad, of Georgia, having as their vis-a-vis Mr. Danby Seymour, M. P., and the niece of Senator Dixon, of Connecticut.

Supper was served at eleven o'clock. Mr. Speaker Orr escorted Lady Napier to the table, followed by Lord Napier escorting the Countess de Sartiges. It was a bountiful repast, with a profusion of champagne. Dancing was kept up until a late hour. A few days afterward Lord Napier embarked on an English war-steamer for his home.

Elegant entertainments were given during Mr. Buchanan's Administration by the members of his Cabinet, the receptions at the house of Postmaster-General Brown, graced by his daughter-in-law, Miss Narcissa Sanders, surpa.s.sing all others in elegance. Mrs. Gwin's fancy ball was far above any similar entertainment ever given at Washington. Charles Francis Adams, then a Representative from Ma.s.sachusetts, entertained very hospitably; Mr. Seward gave numerous dinner-parties, and his parlors were open every Friday evening to all who chose to visit him; the Blairs kept open house for the new Republican party; Mr. John Cochrane gave a great dinner-party to the correspondents of the leading newspapers; Mrs. f.a.n.n.y Kemble Butler had fashionable audiences to hear her readings, and was much made of in society, but she terrified the waiters at her hotel by her imperious manners. On all sides gayety abounded.

A large party of Democrats, after enjoying a dinner on the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, went, at past eleven o'clock, to the White House to honor the President. They evidently disturbed him from his sleep, for he appeared in a dressing-gown, and as if he had just arisen from his bed. Mr. Buchanan was an exceedingly amiable and courteous politician, and showed it on this occasion by getting up at that unseemly hour to address these gentlemen, who were full of supper, wine, and patriotism. He, however, naively remarked to them, in concluding his remarks, "that in bidding them good-night he hoped they would retire to rest, and that to-morrow all of them would be better prepared for the discharge of their respective duties." Evidently Mr. Buchanan, while appreciating the motive and feelings of these gentlemen, manifested a little characteristic waggishness about their going to rest and getting up refreshed for their duties.

The murder, one bright Sunday morning in February, of Philip Barton Key, the District Attorney of the District of Columbia, by Mr.

Daniel E. Sickles, a member of the House of Representatives from New York, created a great sensation. Mr. Sickles, although a young man, had been for some years prominently connected with New York politics. He had taken from her boarding-school and married the handsome young daughter of Madame Bagioli, who had, with her husband, acquired some celebrity in New York as Italian music teachers.

Soon after the marriage Mr. Sickles had received the appointment of Secretary of Legation at London (Mr. Appleton having been unable to accompany Mr. Buchanan), and Mrs. Sickles thus made her _debut_ as the presiding lady of the bachelor Minister's establishment.

In 1857 Mr. Sickles entered Congress, and rented the "Woodbury House," on Lafayette Square, where he lived in elegant style. His coaches, dinners, and parties were irreproachable, and Mrs. Sickles was noted for her magnificent jewelry and beautiful toilettes.

Mr. Buchanan was a frequent visitor at their house, and was to have been G.o.dfather at the christening of Mr. Sickles' infant daughter, with Mrs. Slidell as G.o.dmother, but an attack of whooping-cough postponed the ceremony.

Prominent among gentlemen "in society" at that time was District Attorney Key. His father, in years past, had been a leading member of the Maryland Bar, practicing in Georgetown, and the family had always been highly respected. It was, however, as the author of the "Star Spangled Banner" that the elder Mr. Key acquired a national fame. One of his daughters, Mrs. Ellen Key Blunt, inherited her father's poetical genius, and had, since her widowhood, become prominent as a reader in public. Another daughter married Mr.

George Pendleton, then a Representative from Ohio. Daniel, a son, was killed in a duel by a Mr. May; and Philip Barton, having become somewhat popular as a politician and a lawyer, received from Franklin Pierce the appointment of District Attorney. About that time he was appointed Captain of the "Montgomery Guards" also, and looked gallantly in his green and gold uniform. He married Miss Swann, of Baltimore, who died a few years afterward, leaving young children, and from that time Mr. Key's health had been very feeble. The previous winter (Mr. Buchanan having guaranteed him against rotation) he went to Cuba, but was not at all benefitted. Tall, slender, with rather a sad yet handsome face, he was just the man to win a woman's heart. He was somewhat foppish, too, in his attire, riding on horseback in white leather tights and high boots.

About an hour before Mr. Key was shot, he said to a young lady, whom he joined on her way home from church: "I am despondent about my health, and very desperate. Indeed, I have half a mind to go out on the prairies and try buffalo hunting. The excursion would either cure me or kill me, and, really, I don't care much which."

Soon afterward, he saw, from the windows of his club-house, a signal displayed at the window of the residence of Mr. Sickles, across the square, which informed him that Mrs. Sickles desired to see him. He had hardly left the club-house, however, when he was met by Mr. Sickles, who, without warning, drew a pistol and shot him down like a dog. He was taken into the club-house, which he had so recently left, and died in a few moments. Mr. Sickles surrendered himself at once and was imprisoned in the jail, where he enjoyed the comforts of the keeper's room, and received the visits of many friends.

Mr. Sickles' trial came off in a few weeks before Judge Crawford, an old gentleman, whose intellect appeared to be somewhat clouded, but who endeavored to conceal a lack of capacity by a testy, querulous manner not especially imposing. The prosecution was conducted by District Attorney Ould, prominent afterward in the Confederate service as having the charge of the exchange of prisoners.

He was educated for the Baptist ministry, and spoke with a somewhat clerical air. It was not to be supposed that he would show ingrat.i.tude to Mr. Buchanan for his appointment by over-exerting himself to secure the punishment of one who was known to be a favorite at the White House. Mr. Carlisle, retained soon after the murder by Mr. Key's friends to aid in the prosecution, was by many regarded as the Choate of the District Bar. Nervous in manner, yet cold at heart, crammed with the tricks of the law, and gifted with a flow of language wherewith to cloak them, he brought with equal felicity the favorable points of his client's case into prominence, and showed great acuteness in suppressing or glossing over whatever might be prejudicial to his interest. He was not, however, permitted to use much evidence touching the morality of the prisoner and the manner in which the victim had been lured to his tomb.

The defense was conducted by Edwin M. Stanton, previously known at Washington as a patent lawyer, and as having concluded successfully an important California land case for the Government. He had a head which t.i.tian would have loved to paint, so ma.s.sive were its proportions, and so sweeping were its long locks and beard. He stood like a st.u.r.dy sentinel on guard before his client, pleading the "higher law" in justification, and mercilessly attacking the counsel on the other side whenever they sought to introduce damaging evidence. He had as his aids-de-camp Messrs. Phillips, Chilton, and Radcliff, of the District Bar, each knowing well his Honor the Judge and the rest of the court.

Then there were David R. Graham and James T. Brady, prominent New York lawyers, who brought their eloquence to bear upon the jury, and were aided by T. F. Meagher, a glorious specimen of a rollicking Irish barrister.