The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-01-16
From our Regular Correspondent,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 1886

WASHINGTON, Jan, 4, 1885.
President Cleveland's first New Year
rec.ption will he memorable one TO al
who attended It, The birthday OF loo
was as bright and mild here rs May "lh
mot perfect New Years day ever know
In Washington" was the usual comment
The President pleased everybody with nj
cordially and good humor. lie wore
Prince Albert coat, black necktie AM
standing collar, but no white kid gloves
no gloves of any kind. He showed ~
fatigue over his task OF four hours OF hand
shaking, and after the official reception
had closed, and the public was passinI
through the parlors, | noticed that h
grasped the hand Of the drayman or thu
colored brother as respectfully and kind.
as he had that of Queen Victoria's repre-
sentative.
There was no marked degree Of simple
ity ut the reception, but on the contrary, l
was a very brilliant and delightful affair
1t was quite as imposing as any Of its pre-
decessors, and In point OF some details To-
the comfort and convenience of all it wa
an improvement upon them.
Half an hour before the reception began
the Marine band, which furnishes the mu
sic for State occasions, Was stationed In the
large yestibule, with its music stands ant
polished instruments. The newspaper cor
respondents also we're there early, strollinl
through the State apartments and noting
the decorations. The parlOrs we're frag
rant with flowers and lighted with hun
dreds of gas jets. The chandeliers were
festooned with garands of smilax, there
were baskets of cut flowers on the tables
and potted flowers and, tropical plants were
grouped upon the msntels and window
sills, and massed In hooks and corners.
When the band struck up Hail TO the
Chief the receiving party descended
slowly 10 the Blue Room, and took their
positions In line. Mrs Bayard came down
leaning on the Presidents arm. Miss
Cleveland was attended by Secretary Bay.
ard. Secretaries Manning, Whitney, Endi.
colt, and Postmaster General Villas, came
with the other Cabinet ladies' These gen.
tlemen, excepting Mr. Bayard, retired to
the rear of the Blue Room, where they re-
mained most of the time during the recep.
ton, looking on the procession Of callers,
and chatting In groups with the young la
dies by whom they were joined. Among
neIces of Samuel J. Tilden, who are guests
of Secretary Manning
The Secretary Of State took q position at
the left of the President, and introduced to
him the Diplomatic corpse corps. For
bear In mind, diplomacy is mummy of
past ages and Of effete systems OF polity
IL has no legitimate place In this day of
printing presses, telegraphs, and ocean
cables, when Kings and Cabinets and
Presidents learn state secrets from the
newspapers long before they are mstured
in their ow councils Why does not civil
ization sht le off this fine, old, antique, use
less and expensive heritage'
The foreigners had congregated In the
Red parlor and were ready for reception
Portugal. Italy, England, France, Belgium
China, Austria, Mexico Russia, Switzer
land, Turkey, Spain Peru. Germany, the
L. 8, Columbia, Japan, Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, the Netherlands. Ecuador and
Venezuela were represented and said
Happy New Year" and good wishes to
the President In broken English and
French Some Of the diplomats came to
the White House In coroneted carriages,
and many were In special court attire, with
profusion of gold lace and sashes and
badges and stars and crosses upon their
padded chests.
They passed on 10 the great East Room,
where they fingered awhile, being rein
forced by the Supreme Court, Senators and
Representatives, various other high OIL.
cials and an imposing array Of Army and
Navy officers, three hundred strong, In
their full uniforms, with their gold braid
and fringe and epaulettes. The room fur,
nlsded an open field for the display Of all
this brightness and greatness 1t was
Congress of Nations, and scene at once
variegated, interesting and brilliant
But have not told you how the ladies
were dressed, or how they bowed ana
smiled to their New Year callers. No,
will not descend to anything so frivolous as
coiffures, laces and trains. Let II suffice Ia
say that the Presidents assistant receivers
were gracious In manner and du fat of at.
tire, and that the social debut of the new
Administration was satisfactory 70 its
friends.
w. 5. Cherry, of Streator, has been
granted patent on coal hoist, and J. J
Lloyd same place one for tool
WASHINGTON, jan nth, 1886.
While congress has done nothing start
ling since 1t reassembled, almost every.
thing that has occurred on Capitol Hill