Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-03
WAsRINGToN, June 2.


WASHINGTON, June 2.
Other weddings there have been at the
White House-eight in all--but never before
today has the highest dignitary in the land
bowed his head within its historic walls to
receive the blessing of the church on his
union in holy bonds OF matrimony. On the
asphalt walks near the portico of the White
House this afternoon the assemblage was
thoroughly democratic, and ragged urchins
and slipshod colored girls jostled natty look
ing young gentlemen and ladies in silk attire.
The gates were left wide open and by six
O'Clock the crowd had swollen to several
hundreds and score or more of newspaper
men held sort of a vantage alongside the
portico. Successive arrivals of guests were
watched with interest and their names
whispered by the more knowing to their
companions. Suddenly the strains of the
wedding march floated through the open win
dows and there was general exclamation
from the outside crowd, ''The service has
begun" Then there came tantaliZing hush
which soon ended by the strains of the bridal
chorus and it was thereby known that the
Ceremony was over.
About half past o'clock the wedding
guests began to arrive, their carriages rolling
up to the main door of the mansion through
the great iron gates on Pennsylvania avenue.
The first arrival was Secretary Lamar at
6.37. He was closely followed by Rev. DR..
Sunderland and wife, and during the next
few minutes there came in QUICK succession
Postmaster General Villas and wife, Mr..
Wilson S. Bssett, Secretary and Mrs.
Endicott, Secretary Bayard, Secretary and
Mrs. Whitney, and Secretary Manning and
his wife
Removing their wraps in the State dining
room all the guests proceeded to the blue
room where they were received by Miss Rose
Cleveland. The following is complete list
of those present: Mrs. Folsom, mother of
the bride; Rev. Mr.. Cleveland, the Presidents
brother; Miss Cleveland and Mrs Hoyt, the
Presidents sisters; Thomas II. Bayard. sec
retary of state; Daniel Manaing, secretary
of the treasury, and Mrs. Manning, VIM. c.
Endicott, secretary of war, and Mrs. Endicott,
VIM. e. Whitney, secretary of the navy, and
Mrs. Whitney, VIM. II. Villas, postmaster
general, and Mrs. Villas, l.. q. G. Lamar,
secretary of the interior, Daniel s. Lamont,
private secretary to the president, and Mrs.
Lamont, Benz. Folsom, Mr.. and Mrs. Rogers,
Seneca Falls, n Y. Mrs. Goldman and Miss
Huddleston, Detroit; Mr.. and Mrs. Harmon,
Boston, relatives of the bride Miss Nelson
of New York; Mr. w. S. Brssell of Buffalo,
N. Y, the Presidents former law partner;
DR.. and Miss Byron Sunderland. Attorney
General Garland, although invited was not
present. For a few minutes the guests
chatted gailv, but conversation was quickly
suspended at 7.l5 o'clock, when the selected
orchestra from the Marine Band stationed in
the corridor struck up the familiar strains of
the Wedding March from Mendelssohn's
Midsummer Nights Dream" and all eyes
were turned to the doorway to catch the
first glimpse of the coming bride and groom.
Starting from the western corridor on the
upper floor the President came slowly down
the western staircase with the bride leaning
on his arm. They were unaccompanled. even
the brides mother awaiting her with the other
guests. Passing through the central corridor
the bride and groom entered the blue room
and took position near its southern wall,
which was completely hidden from sight by
mass of noddlng palms and tropical grasses,
and an endless variety of choice flowers.
Three crystal chandeliers poured flood OF
mellow radiance upon the scene, and the
colors of the massive banks of scarlet
begonias and royal Jaqueminot roses, min
Cling with the blue aud silver tiDts OF the
frescoed walls and ceiling, gave warm and
glowing tone to the whole brilliant interior
The delicate ivory shades of the brides we'd
ding gown found exquisite setting in the
masses of crimson roses Immediately beyond.
The President was in full evening dress with
turn down collar, white lawn necktie, and
white enamel studs.
hush fell upon the assemblage as DR..
Sutherland stepped forward to his position
fronting the wedding couple, with Rev. VIM.
Cleveland, the Presidents brother. at his left
hand. In distinct tone of voice, and with
deliberate utterance, the doctor began the
simple and beautiful wedding service. After
petition to Almighty God to bestow his
blessings upon the wedding couple and an ad-
dress to the people upon the holiness of the
bonds Of matrimony, the service proceeded
as follows:
The minister addressing himself to the
bride and groom, "If you desire to be united
in marriage you will signify the same by
joining your right hands" (The groom and
bride joined hands.
"Grover," said the minister, "Do you take
this woman, who you hold by the hand, TO be
your lawful welded wife, to live together
after Gods ordinance in holy estate of we'd
lock; do you promise to love her, cherish,
comfort and keep her in sickness and in
health, in Joy and in sorrow, and forsaking
all Others keep YOU only unto her SO long as
YOU both shall live?"
The groom, (frmly) 81 do"
Dr. Sunderland: Frances, do you take
this man, whom you hold by the hand, to be
your lawful welded husband, to live together
after Gods ordinance in holy estate of we'd
lock; do you promise to love him, honor,
comfort and keep him in sickness and in
health, in joy and in sorrow and forsaking
all others keep you only unto him so long
as you both shall live?"
The bride responded in low but clear
voice, 81 do"
DR.. Sunderland: (solemnly) "For as much
as Grover and Frances have here agreed and
convenanted to live together after Gods
ordinance in holy estate of wedlock. and have
confirmed the same by giving and taking the
wedding ring, now, therefore, in the pres
ence of this company, in the name Of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
pronounce and declare that they are hus-
band and wife-and what God hath joined
together let not man put asunder."
Rev. Mr.. Cleveland then pronounced the
following benediction
"God, the Father, God, the Son, and God,
the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and keep
YOU. The Lord mercifully hll you With all
temporal and all spiritual blessings, and grant