The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-06-30
Mr.. AND MRS. CLEVELAND.

Mr.. AND MRS. CLEVELAND.
i "NIay Their Sun Ride High in the
fiage:
''Give the health and day. says
Emerson, 4" and I will make the pomp
of empires ridiculous. President
Cleveland has been given health and a
day, and he has made the pomp of
royalty absurd. Many a splendid
pageantry of royal marriage has been
portrayed by the pen of the historian
and chroniclcd in the columns of the
public press; but more impressive than
the pomp and fanfare of royalty was
the simple ceremonial at the White
House, when President Cleveland was
United in marriage to Miss Folsom.
And whatever the political antago.
nisms which the President may invite;
there can be no question that the sim
plicity which characterized his recent
marriage has won the hearty recogni-
lion of the whole country.
And the spectacle is assuredly an
imposing one. Mr.. Cleveland is the
chosen ruler of sixty millions of peo-
pie. He is tho head of the most in
te1ligent the wealthiest, and-dcspite
its small army and its paper navy
the most powerful Nation on earth.
And yet his wedding at his official
residence was so simple as to present
striking contrast to many wedding
which has taken place in our principal
cities, whose pomp and glitter and
display were depicted in the news
papers the next day from very diff
ferent feeling and for very different
reason from those which caused the
public press to give to an interested
yet deferential and respectful public
the particulars of the simple White
House ceremony. At that wedding
there were no gorgeous uniforms.
There was no show of the military
the White House was unguardcd by
single trooper, or police officer; the
grounds were just as free to the pub
lie occupancy as ever, and even the
doors of the White House were open.
A distinguished Englishman, struck
with this unusual sight, was con-
strained to pronounce it on the whole
the most notable sight he had seen
in the United States.
We are told there were but twenty
five persons, including the Presidents
and the BRIDES relatives, intimate
friends, and the members of the Cabi-
net and their wives, present. But in
reality the whole Nation was present;
at least it took a deep interest in the
event which itself is as unprecedented
no other President was ever married
there-as it is important For there
can be no question that it is far better
that the President should be married
man, although in the present instance,
as in the case of q former bachelor
President, the loss was inappreciable
from the fact that the social side was so
well cared for by the one who up to his
wedding had performed the responsible
duties of lady of the Presidents house.
And let us say woman has her
place in this country and in
the home of it's Chief Executive,
though we have no court, and though
there is no circle of royal families on
this continent. And the social success
of men, we may even say of Admins
trations, which counts for so much in
public life, is due to no small extent
to the character of the President wife.
The people want to see American
social life at its best at the White
House. They want to see an absence
of yulgarity, of narrowness. of any
cause for evil report. Recognizing
what public duties and official inter-
course demand, they yet want to see
timely simplicity, and they want to
know that the atmosphere of that Wash
ington home is pure and sweet.
The country will like the President
the better for his entering into the
marriage state-and so worthily into
it-peculiarly fitting the head of the
Nation. And it will like him the bet
ter for having maintained the simplic-
ity SO dear to the hearts of Americans,
and especially to the ''plain people,
whom Mr.. Lincoln's heart so we'll ap-
preciated. The whole Nation will
wish for long life, happiness and pros
perity to the President and his bride,
in whom are crystallized the virtues
and graces of American womanhood.
May their sun ride high in the heavens,
and their sunset be as calm and peace
full as the morning is suspicious and
radiant with promise. Christian at
Work.