The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-04-06
A Reception at the White House.

A Reception at the White House.
Special Correspondence of the Globe-Democrat
Washington, Morch o.-The popularity Of
the new administration was given a visible
proof on Tuesday evening by the thousands
who struggled and crowded into the white
house to shake the presidents hand. The
fact of Gen. Grants being within the walls in
spired many to persist IN their heroic efforts,
when discouraged by the long line Of people
before and behind them. When president
Arthur came down INTO the blue room at 8
o'clock, and gave the signal to let loose the
popuaCe upon him, he wore brave and hap
by COuntenance and was in the perfection OF
male attire from the top of his head to the tips
of his dainty pear -colOred gloves and his CLOS
sy dress boots. Through the deep doorway
leading from the red parlor an incessant
stream Of people poured upon him, Sazed with
awe and interest upon the countenance that
rose SO many inches above the crowd, wrung
his hand with different degrees of force and
enthusiasm and backed off admirngly. AT 9
O'Clock the president wiped his perspiring
brow and asked if the line would ever end.
AT 10 O'Clock the crush was at its height, and
the ushers asked if they should close the outer
doors in the face ola portico full ofpeople and
line extending half way to the gate. Al
president smiled heroically and said, "let
Them come in" since those who had waited
outside all of that time deserved the welcome
most of any. When his right hand was cx-
tended for the final shake the exquisite pearl
tinted glove, with which he began the evening,
was dingy, smOke-Colored article; worn,
wrinkled and almost torn at the fingers ends.
OF actual manual labor President Arthur per-
formed more within those few hours than any
stone cutter in the district during the whole
dav, and witty lady observed that he would
be too lame to sign the Chinese bill for week
to come.
Veteran survivors of Washington brushes de-
Clared this levee to have been the largest ever
held in the White house, although the victims
of Mrs. Hayes last afternoon reception upheld
the importance Of that massacre Of the limo
cents;' but any one of experience would
choose crowd of 10000 men to swell mob
of 1000 women. The arrangements were SO
perfect, and the order and good nature of the
crowd so apparent that the president, to
whom the whole thing was new experience,
kept constantly remarking upon these features.
People were shot violently through that long.
narrow doorway of the presence chamber,
propelled by the 5000 man-power in their
rear, but smoothed their flushed countenanCes
and wrenched garments, and came smilingly
face to face with the chief mag istrate.
A line Of ladies stood at the right of the
president assisted in the honors, though some
of them were forced to waver and step back
for occasional moments of rest. Mrs. Grant
stood first, attired in a heavy white satin,
draDed with deep lounces Of point lace, and
in b,.l
was yelled in tulle, and her ornaments con-
sisted of three strands of large pearls, clasped
with large diamond pendent diamond
coronet and butterfly in her hair; earrings of
diamonds and pear-shaped pearls, and gold
bracelets of massive India workmanship.
Mrs. Frelinghuysen wore black satin
broCade; Mrs Hunt, mourning costume Of
black silk; Mrs. Senator Mcpherson, white
faile and white embroidered satin; Mrs. Don
Cameron. white gros grain with gold brocade
and pearl embroidery; Mrs. Eugene Hale.
black velvet, with the front covered with
antique Baraus lace; Mrs. John DAVIS, white
satin and brocade, heavily embroidered with
pearls; Mrs. Craig Wadsworth, violet velvet
with lilac satin and ecru guipure lace, and
Mrs. NeillSon, daughter Of Admiral Rogers,
rose-colored silk and broCade. Behind this
receiving party were grouped during the even
ing all the great and distinguished people Of
the day. The Diplomatic Corps was well rep
resented, and senators and congressman at
tended in larger numbers than can be remem-
bered of any white house reception during
late years. The party rallied to man The
democrats were not wanting, and the adj
mirers and friends of Gen. Grant were there
by the score.
People shook the presidents hand. looked
down the line, and asked in dismay: "Where's
the General" Doorkeepers were beset with
the query, men stood on their tip toes to catch
a glimpse Of him, and reached across the
shoulders Of ladies' receiving to have one
handShake with the old iavorite. Dozens APP
pealed to Mrs. Grant to give them a chance
TO see him, 10 bring him out and walk once
around the room. Moved at last Mrs. Grant
CAV A determined wave OF her fan TO "the