The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-02
WASHINGTON.
The New Years Reception at the
Republican Court.
The Visitors at the Executive Mansion. the viss
Presidents and tho Cabinet 0fdcsrs'-
Toilets Of the Ladies-The Colored
Folks Receiving and Dis
psnsing Hospitality

almost impossible streets. Only once q year h
there anything like Court day at the Executive
Mansion, and though the ceremony Of presentation
is OF the severes republican simplicity the display
always partakes something OF the character Of
Court receptions In Europe To-day some Of the
diplomats, dIsreyardlng TO some extent the
Presidential order for carriages. went on
foot 10 the White House. nineteenth
century overc0at aud umbrella protecting from the
rain and mist the costumes ana ribbons OF the six
teenth. 1t was funny enough to see an ardent
young diplomat picking his way through the mud
In trying 10 to the White House before the recep
ton began. but inside the Blue Room. after the
diplomatic corps had assembled. there was sight
which Is seldom Witnessed at the presidential re-
ceptiOn-namely, an assembage OF foreign minis.
ters all Of whom had met IN the same place
Dut once or twice before. Last year there waS
no reception. owing to the bereavement In the
family Of Secretary Belknap. and in The two years
since the diplomatic corps was received at the
Executive Mansion the personnel of the body has
been much changed, Blacque lsey, the Turkish MN.
ister who was then only two years In the country
or, more properly near the government OF the
United States-belng now the Dean OF the Diplomats.
Sir Edward Thornton did not come here till Fe0-
ruary. 1885, and next TO Blacqae Bsy. he
has been In Washington longer than any
Minister who represents foreign Power In
the United States. The genial face Of Baron Gerols
was missed for the first time in seventeen years:
and Senior Roberts, who was here for comparatively
short time to-day made his last New Years visit
TO the White House. Baron Schozer, the German.
and Senior Borgess. the Brazilian Ambassador were
there for the first time, while neither France nor
Russia had ministerial representative.
THE COSTUMES OF THE VISITORS.
The Court dresses of many OF the gentlemen were
gorgeous, ana among the orders worn by them
were several Crosses Of the Legion OF Honor. SIR
Edward Thornton was accompanied by his VITA
and the Secretaries OF the British Legation. Laay
Thornton wore q dark blue silk trimmed on the
train and body with wnlte guipure lace and black
velvet; her bonnet matched. Senior Garcia.
the Minister Of the Argentine Republic. and
Senor Roberts, the Spanish Minister, were
also accompanied by their wives. The sehora
Roberts wore a black velvet polonalse, over dark
silk. and foreign looking little hat OF black velvet
with flame colored feather Mexico was represented
by Senior Romero, who was also accompanied by
his wife.
THE RECEPTION.
The reception was simple even in Its formality the
guests being introduced to the President Dy Secre-
tary Fish and to Mrs. Grant by General Babcock.
Mrs. Grant was assisted by her daughter,
Miss Nellie. and Mrs. Coliax, Mrs. Wli..
lams, Mrs. Boutwell,, Mrs. Creswell, Mrs. Delaano.
Mrs. General Porter, Mrs Babcock. and Mrs. DON
sss sR s %SSs s safr sa
other year. But the diplomats mad scarcely got out
Of the way before other visitors were waiting at tho
doors, and 80 1t Went on Till tine end.
the Judges Of the United States Supreme Court
followed the diplomatic corps, but. unwiscly snorn
CONSTITUTIONAL law did not present that
dlgnihed and majestic appearance so benttlng
family with him. The others were unattended. -.
Following the Judges came such Senator'S and Re.
representatives. OF the FOrtyseCOnd Congress remain
ing IN town as had a mind to take their privileged
place In the pagentary or the day. Thsy were nos
strong IN number and added nothing to the glory Of
CIVIC dignity then won recognition in the recep.
ton OF tue officials OF the District OF Columbia. VINO
s army sna navy S o n:
GERS. Governor Cooke was attended by Score
tary stanton, whose name seemed an echo OF
camp OF the District militia. who looked as sodiery
and as much at home IN their new uniforms as the
tape and sealing wax generals OF Uncle SANS SER
vice awaiting The familier cry OF "Next." the
judges OF the District Court got through without
and but one OF the lend mem OF the judiciaf
troupe being present Robert Lincoln, with mis-
generous welcome In the mansion where he, too.
was once "at home"
The absence OF General Sherman stripped the
body OF army officers, VINO were next presented. OF
any interest among the spectators. and thIs with
ception tame. The navy, too. was unusually bare
in objects OF interest Vice Admiral Rowan being
not only the highest IN rank present but the best
sentatlon for the army and navy were performed
by secretaries Belknap aud RoDcson anu they both
acquitted themselves like gentlemen and gallant
men. The Rev. Dr. Newman, official CHAPLAIN Of
the government, came in with the Jolly Jack tars
struggling band or the Veterans OF 1912 and
iants next claimed the Executive notice, and tnen
sons as ,'cinzens generality took charge OF tine
mansion, the President Mrs. Grant, the Secretaries,
joval ''ctzens" were untimey cut OF by the police
and ucKier and larger number escaped such
abrupt civllitY OF the hands OF these dictionaries
and ciasped hands with the President in slow and
'0''A THE VICE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION
The Vice President and Mrs. Colfax received al
most as many callers as the President at their
home OF General slcxles when Represen tatsSe 10
Congress- from New York.
RECEPTIONS OF CABINET MINISTER'S.
From the Colfaxes nearly everybody went In success
sion to the receptions OF the Cabinet officers. OF
the Navy were, by all accounts the best, the former
being assisted by no less than five ladies anu the
was Congratulated by his many visitors on His
determination to remain In Washington and re-
to MISS Ballard, one Of the famed bellies OF LOUIS
| vile. The incoming Attorney General, ex-senator
Williams also drew an , unusually large circle OF
being strongly represented. The ut tins re-
ception were unusually enjoyable both the new At
torney General and his wife being In high favor in
| Washington circles.
| EQUALITY OF THE coLoRED FOLK.
The potency OF the ballot was powerfully illus.
trated In the national capital to-day. Not only were
colored men welcomed in stately houses winch
they had never before entered except through the
basement door but many OF them held receptions az
their own houses at which Oil c0lors presented
This was particularly the case with those Identified
with local politics. as Tor example, Wnere the
tary BoatweI's Once door welcomed to his CON-
Portable abode white men oil wealth and power In
station as President OF the Trustees OF COored
Schools. Other coloredI magnates, strong In the!r
control of thousands OF negro votes were equally
hornrot hv their white brethren to whom those