Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-12
GENERAL GRANTS RECEPTION

Friday evening last;
GENERAL GRANTS RECEPTION
This evening was a fitting close to day of
memorable events. The occurrences of the
morning lent to the gathering special inter-
est, which was heightened by the unexpected
presence of President johnson at the levee.
For many hours General Grants not over
spacious mansion was thronged by the rank,
fashion, beauty, and notabilities of the capi-
tai. The guests were received in the two
parlors on the left hand side of the entrance,
in the opposite rooms refreshments were
served up, and the basement was devoted to
dancing. The President arrived very early,
and unannounced. He took up position
by the side of his distinguished General,
and shared in the labors of his reception.
The guests began to arrive about eight
o'clock, and poured in in an increasing
stream till half-past ten or eleven. Not the
least remarkable of the number was Alex
ander ii, Stephens of Georgia, whose spare,
care-worn figure and striking face made him
easily distinguishable among the throng,
and, though he evidently sought retirement
as much as possible, many old-time friends
found him out and held him in pleasant con-
versation. The widely different fate of these
two Nice-Presidents-th uncompromising
loyal Tennessean and the reluctantly dis
loyal Georgian-was too marked not to pre-
sent itself TO every mind.
Among the assemblage who had come to-
gether on the neutral ground of homage to
General Grant there were other contrasts
almost as singular. Theodore Tilton and
Montgomery Blair entered at nearly the
same instant, Madame Montholon and the
French Embassador encountered Madame
Juarez, leaning on the arm of Signor Ro-
nero, the Mexican Minister: Secretary Nc
Culloch and Freeman Clarke, his rebellious
subordinate, elbowed each other in the hall
way.
Shortly before ten o'clock a hurried whis
per passed round the room that Thad.
Stevens was coming, and many pressed for
ward to see the effect Of such a meeting as
that Of the Pennsylvania Mephistopheles and
the President ON such day but there was
no unusual manifestation on either side and
Thad., after exchanging a distant courtesy
with the Chief Magistrate passed into the
next room, with 4 gratifed smile on bis
saturnine visage. Conspicuous among the
guests, beside those named, were Judge Pat
terson and Mrs. Patterson, and Mrs. Slower,
the Presidents daughters Secretary Harlan
and daughter, Secretary Wells and daughter,
Mrs. Senator Foster, General Howard Of the
Freeomen's Bureau, and General Fullerton,
his former AdIutant Generals; Messrs, Wash
barn, TFumbull Hogan, Judge Bingham,
and other members Of Congress. 1t is i'm
possible, however, to enumerate half of the
distinguished persons present. nor is it prac-
ticable 10 give more than a brief notice of
the magnificent toiettes of the ladies. Mrs.
Grant wore rich straw colored moire, with
low corsage trimmed with lace. The Pres
idents daughters, Mrs, Patterson and Mrs.
Slower, were each attired in black velvet.
Mr. Senator Foster, wore a blue moire,
trimmed with white tulle, aud Madame
Montholon magnificent white satan dress
trimmed with crimson velvet Flowers and
pearls were the prevailing head-dresses, and
there was conspicuous absence of diamonds
and jewelv, Nothing occurred 70 mar tho
Fecep'ion, which was pre-eminentIy bril-
liant success.