Christmas 1912 - 2

Aug 13

Chapter 48

The Letters - Part 2
Washington, DC

Washington was at its Winter’s glory.

Snow had fallen over the nation’s capital. It blanked the nation’s seat of power not only in a sea of white, but in a surreal landscape of calmness. The hustle and bustle came to a halt and the denizens were able to really take time to absorb the beauty of their surroundings. L'Enfant’s Greek Revival plan of an imposing capital, wide boulevards, majestic malls and public spaces took on an even more elegant appearance when covered in the snow. Throughout the City, the seasonal evergreen boughs, red plaid ribbons and pineapple inspired door wreaths seemed to become more pronounced against the wintery background.

Today was one of tradition and celebration. It was the day in which a chief diplomatic duty and honor fell to the nation’s First Lady, Ellen Axon Wilson. She was to receive the White House Christmas Tree and give the first official Christmas celebration in the city.

Mrs. Wilson had married an aspiring and dashing young attorney named Woodrow in the Georgian inspired parlor of the manse of the Independent Presbyterian Church. It was there that her father was the senior pastor. Little did she have any ideas that fate would take her from that ceremony to a career of planning events and ceremonies on a national scale.

Diplomatic receptions, dinners, and outings became her profession and she did them with panache with a nod to her Southern background. During her time, she hired southern chefs to oversee the White House kitchens. With her gentle yet persuasive demeanor, she encouraged the Department of State to see that southern chefs and the best of the southern cuisine found their way into the kitchens of the United States Embassies. She mused that only a chef with a southern background would be able to create her family’s recipe for Tomato Gravy. One of her favorite stories was when she was reviewing the menu her first Christmas Morning breakfast in the White House, she requested the Southern staple. The housekeeper presented the request to the White House chef. He sent back word that he had never heard of such a thing and it would not be considered “appropriate.” It was at this point, she could not fathom why one should have traditional French chefs in those positions. It was time for a new tradition and one that represented the taste and flavors of home and that of the United States.

To say she “performed” her duties as first lady would be incorrect. For her, she was merely doing what she did best. She entertained and helped her husband make connections. Invitations to any of her events were prized and never turned down. She had the ability to put those with opposing viewpoints in the same room or table and treat each one as if they were the most important person in the room. Her husband coined her talent as “parlor diplomacy.” No one was immune to the effects of her lovely southern manner and grace.

The President was a savvy politician and a caring astute husband. He had the utmost respect for his wife’s opinions. He realized she had a way of being effective without ever being demanding. Respect for her ideas were openly acknowledged in the Washington governmental and diplomatic circles. An invitation from her to any event, tea or reception was immediately accepted. To do so, seemed to a discourteous act. It was also well known that she was a master of diplomacy. If an invitation was received from her, you could be assured there was a reason and purpose for you to attend.

One tradition in which she held sway was in the selection of the White House Christmas Tree. The wives of previous administration had left the selection to the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Service. Although the trees would be magnificent, none had ever been chosen from the South. She was of the mind that choosing a tree from here home state would not only give a change to the practice, but would help bolster the South’s timber industry.

A perfectly symmetrical 19-foot Frazier Fir was selected from the Wilder’s Farm, Chinaberry. It was located about 10 mile out from the center of Savannah., She was very familiar with this farm and the family who owned it. For years, she and her family would travel to Chinaberry to attend the annual “Going to the Fourth” celebration on Independence Day. Ellen had only the warmest memories of the Wilders and their children, Franklin and Clatie.

She remembered Franklin as a very handsome and strapping young man with an air of erudition that was not common for someone not raised in a major metropolitan center. In her soul, she knew the farm and Savannah would be hold a special place for him, but she could not see him spending his life there. He possessed gentlemanly manners and well-rounded love for literature, art, music, history and an ongoing quest to learn and explore. She could only see his life as one of travel, and the ever-ending pursuit of discovering what the world had to offer. Franklin’s parents recognized this as well. He was not destined to spend his life among the Georgia countryside. However, in later years, Franklin would reflect upon his bucolic upbringing as his foundation and base. He would always use it as the repositioned point when his soul would become weary.

Ellen had last seen Franklin a year ago when she attended the oath of office ceremony at the Cuban Embassy for the new ambassador, Carlos de ’Alba. Franklin had been the guest of the Ambassador’s youngest son, Sebastian. She intuitively recognized a strong bond between them.

She had written the two young men at the de’Alba home in Gramercy Park and told them she wanted them to attend the tree arrival, presentation and reception at the White House. She also promised she would make all the appropriate introductions between the de’Albas and the Wilders.

A formal invitation was issued by the First Lady to the Ambassador and his wife. As it was not the custom to refuse an invitation from the first lady, the de’ Albas delayed their departure to Havana for the Christmas holiday in order to attend. With the invitation, she included a handwritten note.

The brief missive mentioned this year’s tree was from the home of their son Sebastian’s friend, Franklin. She asked that Sebastian attend so that young Franklin would know a friendly face and have someone his age at the reception and ceremony.

Along with the invitation to the Wilders, she penned a note saying that she wished to have Franklin join the festivities. She casually mentioned that a friend of his, Sebastian de ‘Alba would also be attending and she thought the two would make good company for each other.

All accepted.

Masterfully played.

Tomato Gravy

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp. butter
½ c. onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
½ c. Tomato Conserve
1 c. milk

INSTRUCTIONS

In a heavy skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion until softened. Add garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for another minute. (I start with about a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and maybe 3 turns of the peppermill.)

Sprinkle the flour over and cook, stirring well for another couple minutes.

Stir in the chopped tomato and Tomato Conserve, cook for five more minutes. Slowly add the milk and bring to a simmer. Taste for seasoning, adjust.

Serve warm with split buttermilk biscuits and a side of bacon.