America’s March Toward Monarchy
By Editor
In times past the room of the White House at the national capital, in which the President and his cabinet and their wives hold public receptions, has always been called the “Blue Room,” because of the color of its furnishings and decoration. Now, however, during the present administration, and only lately, that room has been designated the “Court Chamber”! The authority for this is thoroughly reliable: it is Success for March, 1900. Its leading article, thoroughly sympathetic, is entitled, “The Ladies of the American Court;” and the first paragraph contains the following sentences, which state the fact:— A court chamber is seemingly a misnomer in the home of the President of the United States. The historic Blue Room, where the President and his lady and the cabinet officers and their wives welcome the public, has, however, lately received this ambitious designation: . . . Some sigh that we are far from the days of Jefferson and Jackson; but the American court is a popular institution at the American capital. This is another stride in the steady march that this nation is making toward monarchy. And how rapidly these strides are being taken! It was only last October that we noted in the REVIEW the fact that, with the distinct approval of the Secretary of State, court dress was adopted by the diplomatic officials at Washington in their attendance on state functions. And with “court dress” and a “court chamber,” the other appurtenances of royalty, which alone holds court, will come, of course.