THE CENTENNIAL OF YORKTOWN.
President Arthur was a man of gracious presence, of good education,
of extensive reading, and of courteous manners, refined by his
having mingled in New York society. He was always well dressed,
usually wearing in his office a Prince Albert coat, buttoned closely
in front, with a flower in the upper button-hole, and the corner
of a colored silk handkerchief visible from a side pocket. Dignified,
as became his exalted station, he never slapped his visitors'
shoulders, or called them by their Christian names, but he treated
them as entitled to his consideration without that stilted courtesy
which rebuffs even when veneered with formal civility. He was a
good listener and he conversed freely, although he carefully avoided
committing himself upon political questions, and never indulged in
criticisms of those arrayed in opposition to him. The code of
etiquette first adopted by General Washington on the recommendation
of General Hamilton, from which there had been departures in recent
years, was re-established, except that President Arthur occasionally
accepted invitations to dinner. He devotedly cherished the memory
of his deceased wife, before whose picture in the White House a
vase of fresh flowers was placed daily, and he was affectionately
watchful over his son Alan, a tall student at Princeton College,
and his daughter Nellie, who was just entering into womanhood.
Soon after the commencement of the October session of Congress,
Washington was enlivened by the official reception of the French
and German officers, who came as the nation's guests to witness
the dedication of a national monument at Yorktown on the centennial
of the victory which those nations helped the revolutionary colonists
to win. The day was bright and sunny, and there was a general
display of flags, those of France and Germany mingling with the
stars and stripes. There were nearly forty of the guests, all
wearing the uniforms of their respective positions. The Frenchmen
regarded the Germans with manifest hatred, while the latter evidently
remembered that their comrades had recently triumphantly occupied
the French capital.
The guests, under the escort of the French and German Ministers,
were first driven to the Department of State. There, Assistant-
Secretary Hitt received them at the foot of the staircase and led
the way to the diplomatic reception-room. There they were cordially
received by Secretary Blaine, to whom each one was presented, and
he then presented them to the other members of the Cabinet. Many
complimentary remarks were interchanged, but there were no set
speeches; and after remaining a quarter of an hour or so the guests
re-entered their carriages and were escorted to the Capitol.
Pennsylvania Avenue presented an animated appearance, the gay and
varied dresses of the ladies at the windows and on the sidewalks
forming a kaleidoscopic framework for the column of citizen soldiers.
The District militiamen never looked better nor stepped more proudly,
and five companies of colored men marched with the swinging gait
of veterans. The civic portion of the procession was a failure,
but this was atoned for by the well-organized Fire Department with
its apparatus.
Meanwhile, those fortunate in having received invitations congregated
in the rotunda of the Capitol, which was still heavily draped in
black in honor of the last assassinated President, whose remains
had lain in state there but a few days previously. Among the
gentlemen and ladies who had been asked to witness the welcome
extended by the Chief Magistrate to the representatives of our
ancient allies were General Sherman, wearing his showy gala uniform,
a score or more of other military and naval officers, Senator Dawes
and wife, Commissioner Loring and wife, nearly all of the Senators,
and a few Representatives.
At last the nation's guests entered from the eastern portico,
preceded by Secretary Blaine and the French Minister, and walking
by twos, according to their respective ranks. Passing around the
southeastern wall, the head of the column halted before the door
leading to the House of Representatives. The gay uniforms worn by
the greater portion of them relieved the sombreness of the black
suits of their civilian associates. Monsieur Outrey, the French
Minister, wore a black dress suit, while Herr von Scholzer, the
diplomatic representative of Germany, appeared in a gold-embroidered
court dress. The French army officers all wore red trousers, with
the exception of one in white breeches and high boots, and their
uniforms and equipments were very handsome. The Germans had a more
soldier-like appearance, as if they meant business and not show.
President Arthur, who had not removed from "Castle Butler" to the
White House, came over, and for the first time occupied the
President's room adjacent to the Senate Chamber. Secretary Blaine
went there for him, and advanced with him to where the French
Minister stood in the rotunda. President Arthur was attired in a
full suit of black, with black cravat and gloves. The French
Minister introduced the President to the French guests, and then
the German Minister introduced him to the German guests. Secretary
Lincoln then passed along the line with the army officers, and then
came Secretary Hunt with the naval officers. Pleasant little
speeches were exchanged, and there was no end of bowing and hand-
shaking.
As the hour of three approached, the Senators gradually returned
to their desks in the Senate Chamber, and they found the galleries,
which they had left empty, filled with ladies, whose bright attire
was equal to the variegated hues of a bed of blooming tulips. Some
routine business was transacted, and then the nation's guests, who
had been accorded the privilege of the floor, came in, escorted by
Mr. Blaine, and took a row of seats which encircled the chamber
behind the desks. Senator Bayard then rose, and in an eloquent
and graceful little speech alluded to the presence of the distinguished
citizens of our sister Republic of France and the Empire of Germany,
who had come here to join in celebrating the victory of Yorktown.
He concluded by asserting that he spoke the sentiments of the
American Senate by saying that they were most welcome, and moved
a recess of half an hour, that the Senators might individually pay
their respects to them. The motion was carried amid loud applause,
and then the visitors were presented to President David Davis and
the Senators. When the introductions were over, the guests were
shown to their carriages and driven back to the Arlington.
As the evening approached and the twilight deepened crowds flocked
to the White House grounds and vicinity to witness the display of
fireworks. Pennsylvania Avenue was brilliant with electric and
calcium lights and myriads of paper lanterns. The fireworks were
very excellent, and several of the pieces were loudly applauded.
President Arthur and his Cabinet, with many Senators and Representatives,
officers of the army and navy, and their ladies went with the
nation's guests to Yorktown on a fleet of steamboats. There the
Governors of the original States, each with a militia escort, with
a military and naval force of regulars, joined in the centennial
exercises. Virginia hospitality was dispensed on the Congressional
steamer by Senator Johnston, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements,
who exceeded the liberal appropriation some twenty thousand dollars,
much of which was for liquors and champagne. Congress finally
voted the necessary amount without the filing of detailed vouchers.
Secretary Blaine's entertainment to the nation's guests, at Wormley's
Hotel, was the most sumptuous and enjoyable evening party ever
given at Washington. The doors connecting the parlors and those
leading into the hall had been removed, and in their places were
curtains of gray damask, bordered with cardinal red. The stars
and stripes were conspicuously displayed, and there was a lavish
display of rare plants, variegated foliage, and vines. From the
keystones of the arches which divided the rooms were suspended
floral globes, and the chandeliers were festooned with garlands.
In the hall was the full Marine Band, in evening dress, with their
string and reed instruments.
A few moments before ten o'clock Secretary and Mrs. Blaine arrived,
and took their position in the outside parlor, near the entrance.
Mr. Blaine was in excellent health and spirits, displaying that
_bonhomie_ for which he is so justly famed. Mrs. Blaine wore an
evening dress of white brocaded satin, with a long train, trimmed
with lace and pearls.
An usher, who knew every one, and who could pronounce the names
and give the rank of the numerous foreigners, announced the guests
as they entered. The French were the first to arrive, followed by
the Germans, and after they had paid their respects they were ranged
next to Mr. Blaine, and the other guests, as they arrived, were
also presented to them. The French and German officers wore their
respective uniforms, with their decorations of various orders of
knighthood, and the civilians were in full evening dress, many
wearing decorations. Madame la Marquise de Rochambeau wore an
evening dress of royal purple, moire antique silk, trimmed with
heliotrope plush and a profusion of rare lace.
The Diplomatic Corps was out in force, and several of the Foreign
Ministers were accompanied by their wives. Madame Outrey, wife of
the French Minister, wore a white brocade with a sweeping train,
trimmed with lace, and a rare set of diamonds. Madame Bartholomei,
wife of the Russian Minister, wore a court dress of black satin
brocade, trimmed with jet, and a magnificent set of emeralds and
diamonds.
The army was well represented, headed by General Sherman in his
gala uniform, with its golden baldric, and there were Admirals and
Commodores enough to man a vessel. The foreigners were much
interested in Admiral Worden, who commanded the Monitor in the
critical iron-clad fight.
A quorum of the Senate was present, with their burly President,
David Davis, and there were not a few Representatives, including
Messrs. Kasson and Hiscock, the rival candidates for the Speakership.
Senators Cameron, Bayard, Voorhees, and Butler were accompanied by
their daughters. Chief Justice Waite and nearly all of the Associate
Justices were present, and also the members of the Cabinet, with
the exception of Attorney-General MacVeagh, who, of course, stayed
away. The journalists invited, several of them accompanied by
their wives, showed that Mr. Blaine never forgot his original
calling.
The supper-table extended the whole length of the dining-room, and
it was laid with exquisite taste. The ware was the finest Dresden
china, much of the silver was gilded, and the glass was of the
newest patterns. A profusion of roses in low mounds set off these
appointments to great advantage. As for the _menu_, it comprised
terrapin, canvas-backs, oysters, and saddles of mutton, with all
the recognized masterpieces of French culinary art. Even the young
French and German officers, who had scowled at each other as they
had bowed salutations with formal politeness earlier in the evening,
fraternized at the supper-table. I saw a young Frenchman look
approvingly on as a stalwart German Captain effected an entrance
into a Strasburg pie and dealt out its toothsome contents, and the
Teutons, whose favorite tipple had been beer, kept up a fusillade
of champagne corks as they filled the glasses of their fair partners.
After the supper, the guests returned to the spacious parlors, where,
to the witching strains of the Marine Band, the merry dancers chased
the hours with flying feet until long after the midnight stars had
struggled through the clouds.
The next night, while the Von Steubens were at Baltimore enjoying
the torchlight procession and the Fatherland songs of their
countrymen, Mr. Blaine treated the French guests to a sight of the
Capitol, brilliantly lighted up from dome to basement. The effect
when seen from without was fairy-like, and within the noble
proportions of the rotunda, the legislative halls, and the long
corridors were disclosed to great advantage.
Later in the evening Monsieur Max Outrey, the Minister of France,
gave a reception in honor of his visiting countrymen. It was
noticeable that this _fete_ had been postponed until after the
departure of the Germans, but Monsieur Outrey took care to mention
that they had been invited, but had sent "a very sweet letter of
regret." The home guests invited were generally those who were at
Secretary Blaine's reception the night previous, but the ladies of
the Legations were rather more handsomely dressed. Monsieur Outrey
was enthusiastic in his praises of the liberal hospitality extended
to his countrymen, who had, he said, drank more champagne since
they had been in Washington then they ever drank in all their lives
at home, and who were really getting fatigued with their ceaseless
round of entertainments.
[Facsimile]
W. T. Sherman
General, 1885.
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN was born in Lancaster County, Ohio, February
8th, 1820; was graduated at the West Point Military Academy, June
30th, 1840; served in Florida and California, 1840-1851; was
President of the Louisiana State Military College, 1859-1861; served
in the Union Army from 1861, receiving the appointment of Lieutenant-
General in July, 1866, and of General in March, 1869; went on the
retired list in 1884.