The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-01-07
Washington Letter.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. /, 1885,

WAsHINGToN, Jan. !, 1885.
Nsw Years Day at the White House. Legati,
Literati, Patres ConSeripti, JHdieeS, Muiieras
Mletss, ct Eantae PlebS, " RQfdnart
Tulgus," ct Atrieani,
The event here today was the recel-
ton at the White House. The frat 10
arrive at PresiCa antia. New Years It
oeption are the CORES .ordeuts OF the
and the Marine Ban0,
These are all stationed in the large
ante-room or main vestibuls, the Ban d
to furnish the music for the great pro-
cession, and the representatives OF the
press to tell who were there, What
they wore, and how they looked, and
bowed, and smirked and smiled, a
few fortunate pen drivers were admit
ted to the holy of holes (the Blue
Room where they could make accu-
rate notes of the dresses of Miss Cleve-
land and the Cabinet ladies who assist
cd the President in receiving. Your
own correspondent was among these
favored ones.
1t has been said that Mr.. Cleveland
never appears to better advantage than
when receiving callers. He stood, as
is customary on these occasions, in the
Blue Room near the door of the Red
parlor through which guests enter.
He is of heroic size, and, buttoned up
in q we'll fitting Prince Albert coat, he
looked physically equal to four hours
of hand shaking that was about to be-
gin. And so he proved to be, for al
two o'clock p. M, when the doors oi
the Mansion were closed, and after he
had shaken by the hand about five
thousand people, and given each one
a smile and cordial :" am glad to
see you, ,"it was remarked that through
1t all, he had not permitted himself to
sigh or look tired, even if he felt so.
One sympathetic caller among the last
took time to remark to him in passing
that he must be very weary. "Oh,
no." he replied pleasantly, this is
one of the easiest things l have to do"
The next to arrive at this reception
were the Cabinet officers, who, l may
say, led off the reception, being the
first callers on the program. Each one
of them looked cheerful and well ,and
in good condition everyway. The
Secretary of State first wished the
President a happy New Year, and
then paid the compliments of the sea-
son to the ladies all along the line, fol
lowed by the other members of the
Cabinet. They passed on to the East
Room, as the Diplomatic Corps was
coming up in their rich, gaudy attire.
Some of these Diplomats came to the
White House in coroneted carriages,
and adorned with swords and sashes,
and gold lace, their padded chests COW
cred with stars and crosses and other
ensigna of rank or office. Among
those more notable for elaborate deco
rations, were the English, French,
Spanish Russian, japanese and Chi
dent disposed of the giided foreigners.
they marched into the East Room
where they had more extensive scope
for the display of their brilliapcy.
Then the Supreme Court of the United
States was on hand, that august body
which has recently been SO basely IL
beled in regard to keeping for its own
special use, a bar-room in SOME mys'
terious recess of the Capitol.
Congress next greeted the President
and then Judges of the various Courts
of the District Of Columbia, the Com
naissionels of the District, the Judi
cial officers of the District, ex-
members Of the Cabinet and eX'miE-
listers of the United States. The army
and navy officers in their imposing
uniforms came next, and then follow
ed Department officials aud civil OF.
ganizations and associations too tedi-
GUS to enumerate. Finally the people
came, and for an hour n stream OF pro-
miscuous humanity swept through The
parlors. They were old and young
black and white, richly dressed and
poorly clad, citizens and strangers
with here and there an Iudian from
the far West.
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