1877-1881

Wife "Lemonade" Lucy Ware Webb (1831-1889)

Vice President William A. Wheeler (1877-1881)

With respect to the two distinct races whose peculiar relations to each other have brought upon us the deplorable complications and perplexities which exist in those States, it must be a government which guards the interests of both races carefully and equally. It must be a government which submits loyally and heartily to the Constitution and the laws-the laws of the nation and the laws of the States themselves-accepting and obeying faithfully the whole Constitution as it is.
-- March 5, 1877

Rutherford Hayes's wife, "Lemonade Lucy" set the moral tone of the White House --morning prayers, no smoking, dancing, or card games, and no alcoholic drinks at dinners or receptions. At night there were "hymn sings". After one official dinner, Secretary of State William Everts remarked: "It was a brilliant affair; the water flowed like champagne"

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