Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-01

headed by Jos. II. Bradley, Sr, and Mr. Brad
ley addressed the President as follows
Mr.. President: 1t gives me great satisfaction
as the organ of the Association of the Oldest In
habitants of this nv native city 10 present to
you their cordial congratulations on the open. I.
ing of the New Year. Some among US have
seen every one of the great men who have occu-
pied the office you now fill with so much dig
nifty, craftsmanship, and love of country: and
all of us have vivid recollections of your pre-.
lived out their term have lived to advanced
age, loved and respected by their troops of
friends. May such be your future.
We are emphatically citizens Of the United
States, knowing no other country, acknowl-
edging no other allegiance, belonging to no
other sovereignty. On their enduring pros
perlty, not under constitutional forms only,
but with the powers and duties. the rights aud
obligations of a written Constitu.: :on carefully
observed and duly executed, our hopes for the
future of civil liberty rest. You came among
us in the midst OF gloomy eorrows, when
our city was shrouded muorning. and
men pale and aghast looked in each
others faces with doubt and desponiency
The throes of a mighty and terrible intestine
war had not subsided, the bonds of the social
fabric were still violently shaken, and the fr-
ture doomed up dark, and ill Il with direfuI
foTebodings. Under your administration peaer
has settled upon Us, and prosperity has pound
its teeming abundance on the larger portien of
our land; while broken roof trees, and des0lated
hearthstones, and wasted fields attest the raya-
ges OF war, and the destitution of a subiugated
territory spread like vast pail over other por-
nons. The old year has gone out in storm and
tempest and they yet beat pitilessly upon us
and all nature seems dark, and bleak. and drear
half clad in the SHOWS of winter, and clouded
by the peltIng rain. But we know they must
soon pass away, and the genial sun. as it ad-
vances towards the summer solstice, shall give
warmth and vitality to all nature. May it be
emblematIc OF our future during your admins
tratiou. May you. ere its close, see n united
happy. and prosperous nation, built up of the
people of the several independent sovereign
States, and governed by itself and by the
powers ordained by its own people within the
limits of its sovereign, and not one down -trod.
den, mangled. crushed, and broken power
among them to break the unity of this free and
mighty nation.
The President expressed his qualification to
receive these associations, and took the men,
bers of each by the hand.
The President received in the Blue Parlor,
and stood near the entrance leading from the
Red Room with Marshal Gooding and Deputy
Marshal Phillips on his left Mrs. Patterson
and Mrs. Slower stood near the centre of the
room, with Gen. Michler on their left, who pre-
sented the guests to these ladies.
Col. Robert johnson, Private Secretary: Col
onels Long and Ri yes, and Mr.. Cowan. of the
Presidents staff, Were also present, and en-
tertained many of the guests who fingered in
the parlor.
Mrs. Patterson was dressed in a heavy black
silk, trimmed with folds of black satin and
black bugles; high neck, white lace collar, the
skirt cut full with train, and satin trimmings
around the bottom Her hair was crlmped and
dressed with "A white Japonica and spray of
mignonette jet and gold ear rings with small
pearls, and held a beautiful bog uet i'm her hand
Mrs. Slower also wore a heavy black silk,
trimmed with folds Of black satin and bugles.
N l..,a oil
sprig of mignonette and white japonica. ear.
rings and breast pin of Etruscan sold. and held
"A WI hite fan in her hand.
The President was dressed in a plain suit of
black, with brown gloves.
The lady visitors Were dressed with taste and
elegance, being mostly in street costume, with
bonnets and cloaks
Miss Sherman, daughter Of W. T. Sherman
wore light bun grenadine over green silk
with gored skirt and full train, the body
trimmed with green silk fringe: hair plain
Ihe General and daughter remained in the
blue parlor until nearly II O'Clock, and We're
surrounded during the whole time by numbers
OF friends.
Mrs. Col. Rives wore a gros grain layendar
colored silk trimmed with folds of black vel
Vet, a black velvet cloak, and white bonnet with
illusion strings. Mrs. Freeman, the lady of the
Secretary OF the English legation, wore an ele-
CANT pearl colored silk and magnifice Mt black
lace shawl, with white bonnet.
Mrs. Col. Long was dressed i'm sky blue silk
trimmed with folds of white satin, short white
cloak and white bonnet with white feather
Mrs. General Michler wore a rich black MORE
antique with short brown cloak, white furs and
nun, and black velvet bonnet
Mrs. Senator Sprague, Mrs. Senator Dixon
and daughters, Mrs. Senator Doolittle, Mrs
Judge Loring and daughters, Mrs. Judge
Field, and many other ladies of distinguished
ohcers ana citizens. Were present, and the
scene In the blue parlor and east room, between
the hours OF II and IL O'Clock, was a very
beautiful one
The Marine Band, under Prof Scala per.
formed many choice pieces, which greatly
added to the occasion. Their programme being
as follows: Hail TO the Chief. Coro and Aria
hoDert lie Diable. Cayatina; lone. Aria:
Maria di Rohan. Coro and Aria: Harold Waltz
Prince Alfred. Galop. Overture; Poet and
Peasant Settimino; Ernani. Pot Pou ri: Bohe-
mian Girl Duetto L'Afrieane. Waltz: Village
swallows Galop. Pot Pouri American Airs.
Finale, Yankee Doodle
Baron Wetterstedt. the Swedish Minister
presented TO the President Count Rosen. OF the
Swedish Royal Navy, who is now on a visit to
this country.
The reception of the Diplomatic Corps Off,
GERS. Heads OF Bureaus, Judges of the Courts,
Amy and Navy Officers, Soldiers of 1872, and
oldest Inhabitants having terminated, the gates
were thrown open al II O'Clock and the recep-
uon OF the public commenced, and continued
untl 2ocleek. Thousands of persons shook
the President by the hand. and the expressions
'tiod bless you, Mr.. President" .sHappy New
Year." &e., greeted him
Mr. Noble Hurdle, a very old gentleman. re.
siding i'm Georgetown, took the President by
the hand and said, God bless you, Mr. Presi-
dent. L have shaken the hand of every Pre-
sident from Washington's time, and now, sir,
am happy To shake yours, the last President.
smiled, and thanked Mr. II. for the compli.
ment.
The guard of the Executive Mansion, con-
sisting of thirty men of the 18TH United States
Infantry, under Captain s HcKeever, were on
duty and presented a neat and soldierly ap.
Pearance. The gates leading to the Mansion
Were closed until IL O'Clock, and no one nd.
mitfed excepted those to he received before
noon. .-.- 7..er .--. =
A force of policemen under Lieut.. Skippen
and Capt. Is. M. Reed were also ON duty TO pre-
serve order and prevent the crowd collecting
about the entrance or exit. ,rtftsr
RECEPTIONS To-DAY.-Yesterdtay, the pros