St. Landry democrat., 1886-01-16
WASHINGTON LETTER,
From Our Regular Correspondent

hoISEs ne HANDLES
THEM WITHOUT GLOVES.
President Cleveland's first New Year
reception will be memorable one tt
all WHO attended it. The birthday O.
1885 was as bright and mild here a.
May. The most perfect New 8 Years
day ever known in Washington was
the usual comment. The President
pleased every body with his cordiality
and good humor. He wore a Prince
Albert coat, black necktie and standing
collar, but 10 white kid gloves, nc
gloves of any other kind. He showed
no fatigue over his task of four hours
OF Misunderstanding, and after the official
reception had closed, and the public
was passing through the parlors, I
noticed that he grasped the hand OF the
drayman or the colored brother as res
pectfully and kindly as he had that of
Queen Victoria's representative.
There was no marked degree of sim
plicity at the reception. but on the con-
trary, it was very brilliant and de-
lightful affair. 1t was quite as impos-
ing as any of it's predecessors, and in
point of some details for the comfort
and convenience Of all, it was all i'm
pr0vement upon them.
Half an hour before the reception
began, the Marine band, which fur
nishes the music for State occasions,
was stationed in the large vestibule,
with its music stands and polished in
struments. The newspaper correspon-
dents also were there early, strolling
through the State apartments and not
ing the decorations. The parlors were
fragrant with flowers and lighted with
hundreds of gas jets. The chandeliers
were fest00ned with garlands of smilax,
there were baskets of cut flowers on
the tables, and ported flowers and tropi-
cal plants were grouped upon the man
tells and window stills, and massed in |
hooks and corners.
When the band struck up Hail to
the Chief, the receiving party descend
ed slowly to the Blue Room, and took
their positions in line. Mrs. Bayard
came down leaning on the Presidents
arm. Miss Cleveland was attended by
Secretary Bayard. Secretaries Mann
ing, Whitney, Endicott, and Post
master General Villas came with the
other Cabinet ladies. These gentle
man, excepting Mr.. Bayard, retired to .
The rear of the Blue Room, where they J
remained most of the time during the
reception, looking on the procession of
callers, and chatting in groups with {
he young ladies by whom they were :
oined. Among them were noticed the .
1isses 'Tilden, neices of Samuel j. TIL
len, who are guests of Secretary Man e
ing. Z
The Secretary of State took a posi- 8
ion at the left of the President and Y
Introduced to him the Diplomatic J.
orpse Corps. For, bear it in mind, :,
iplomacy is a mummy of past ages n
nd of effete systems of polity. It has K
o legitimate place in this day Of print =,
70 presses, telegraphs, and ocean cables, t,
hen Kings and Cabinets and Presi- t.
ent's learn State secrets from the II
ewspapers long before they are ma :
red in their own councils. WHY is
,es not civilization shake off this fine. Il
d, antique, useless, and expensive e,
,ritageF i; IN
The foreigners had congregated in re-
9 Red parlor and were ready for re- %
ption. Portugal, Italy, England, ~ ~
'ance, Belgium, China, Austria, Next
, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Spain, M
'rn, Germany, the u. s. Columbia, re-
pan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the ~ ~
'therlands, Ecuador and Venezuela to
re represented and said Happy New ris
ars' and good wishes to the Presl- ny
Mt in broken English and French. "
me OF the Diplomats came to the. no
hite House in coroneted carriages. de-
many We're in special court attire. ~
I'D prOfusion OF gold lace and sash, ~
ana nadges and stars and crosses az. an
% their padded chests. nc nc
hey passed ON to the great East , .me
ph nOAo eilty fingered awhile, be- H.
relnfGEsed by the Supreme Court. c ne
latoIs and Representatives, various All
er high officials and an imposing ar ant
OF Army and Navy officers. three Jst
ldred strong, in their ft.l, uniforms "
b their gold braid and fringe and ne
ultttes. The room furnished an rte
. held for the display of all this leIt
,htness and greatness. Here WAS con
,ngress of Nations. and > snana Wa" as tior
} variegated. interestino md I'll con
{. y con
1t ! have not told you how the la : y