Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-06-03
WEDDING BELLS.
Marriage of the Chief
Magistrate.
A NOTABLE, BRILLIANT EVENT
A Full Account of the Ceremony
Guests, Decorations, Toilets,
Music, supper, Etc.
Especial to The Herald sv the associated Press.

Especial 10 the Herald bg the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, June 2.--0ther we'd
dings there have been at the White
House-eight in all.but never before
to-day 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 the holy bonds
of matrimony. From the very dawn oil
the wedding day the city seemed alive
to the approaching event. Little knots
Of idlers talked it over on the sidewalks
ia front OF the hotels. sedate matrons
gossipsd as they passed along the streets,
and bevies of laughing girls chatted and
specialized about the coming moment
uous ceremony. Many were the Curl
Gus chances that sought to pierce the
draped windows OF the Whits House,
and numberless were the comments and
speculations OF the luiterers who gath
cred early in the afternoon within the
grounds. Little or nothing in the APP
pearance of the mansion or its surround.
ings indicated to the pssser by that the
much talked OF event was at hand. The
still and murky haze Of the early fore
noon had wholly given place to clear
sky and warm southerly breezes, while
yellow slanting sunbeams filtered
through the foliage of the park
and made Pickering pictures upon
the yelyety turf beneath. The great
fountain did its best to attract atten-
ton, spouting its cooling spray to the
verge OF its granite basin, and towering
shrubs and forms of tropical green filled
the marginal gaps in the picture. The
seats in the park across the avenue were
occupied by lawn-clad maidans, while
half the young lovers In town. moved by
the common sympathy which stirs
romantic suseeptibilties, took winding
walks in the line of their evening prom
enade and speeulated upon the emotions
which are supposed to fill the hearts Of
a bride and groom. The successive ARR.
walls Of the guests were watched
with interest, and their names
were whispered by the nore
knowing ones to their companions
Suddenly the strains OF the wedding
march hoated through the open win
dows and there was general exclama-
tion from the outside crowds, "The
service has begun" Then there came q
tautalizing hush within the walls which
was soon ended by the strains OF the
Bridal Chorus, from Lohengrin, and it
was thereby known that the ceremony
was over. One by one the lights sprang
up at the windows, and the great burn.
ers on the portieo cast their effulgence
over the pavements. The scene resem.
bled festival, and the crowd gave
itself up to the enjoyment of the delight
full music which the fine orchestra rem.
dered.
THE QUESTS ARRIVE.
About $50 the wedding guests be
gan to arrive at the White House, their
carriages drawing up to the main door
on Pennsylvsnia avenue. The first ar
rival was Secretary Lamar at 6:37. He
was closely followed by Rev. d. Sunder-
land and wife. and during the next few
minutes there came in quick succession
Postmaster General Villas and wife, Mr..
Wilson s. Bissell, Secretary and Mrs.
Endicott. Secretary Bayard, Secretary
aud Mrs. Whitney and Secretary Man
ming and his wife. Removing their
wraps in the State dining room all Of the
guests proceeded to the Blue room,
when they were received by Miss Rose
Cleveland. For few minutes the
guests chatted gaily, but the converse.
tion was quickly suspended. At 7:l5
p. M. the selected orchestra from the
Marine band, stationed in the corridor.
struck up the familiar strain Of the
wedding march, from Mendelssohn's
''Mid Summers Night Dream" and all
eyes were turned to the doorway TO
catch tho 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 his bride leaning on his
arm. They were unaccompsnied, even
the brides mother awaiting her with the
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 nodding
palms, tropical grass and an endless va
risty of choice flowers. The crystal
chandelier poured food of mellow ra.
dance upon the scene, and the colors Of
massive banks Of scarlet begonias and
royal Jacqueminot roses mingled with
the blue and silver tints Of the frescoed
walls and the ceiling, and gave a warm
and glowing tone to the whole brilliant
interior. The delicate ivory shades Of
the brides wedding gown found an ex.
quisite setting in the masses OF crimson
roses Immediately beyond The Presi-
dent was in full evening dress, with a
turn-down collar, lawn necktie and
white studs.
THE PRAYER.
A hush fell upon the assembly as DIR.
Sunderland stepped forward to his post
ton, fronting the wedding couple, with
Rev. VIM. Cleveland, the Presidents
brother, at his left hand. In distinct
voice and with deliberate utterance
the Doctor began the simple and beauti.
full wedding service, as follows:
"For as much as we are assembled to
observe the holy rites OF marriage. it is
needful that we should seek the blessing
OF the great God, our Father, whose
institution II ia, and therefore beseech
you now to follow me with reverent
hearts in prayer to Him" Prayer was
then spoken as follows: Almighty and
everlasting God, father OF our spirft
frames and our bodies, giver of every
good and perfect gift Thou who canst
see the end from the beginning, who
knowest what is best for us, Thy chill
dren, and hast appointed the holy rite Of
marriage to be sacredly observed
throughout all generations, regard now,
we bsseech Thee, Thy servant, our
Chief Magistrates; endow him plente.
ously with Thy grace and fill him with
wisdom to walk in Thy ordinances. Be
very nigh to him in the midst Of his many
caresand graveresponsibilitiesda day by day
May Thy law direct him and Thy
strength uphold him, and be Thou for
ever his sun and shield. Be Thon gra.
ciously pleased to look down upon this,
Thy daughter, even as Thou didst favor
the chosen Rebecca and many noble
women that have adorned the world
May she indeed be n precious boon of
good to her husband, to cheer and help
him continually; a woman gifted with
the beauty Of the Lord and shedding the
sweet influence OF Christian life upon
the nation in whose sight she is to dwell.
Wilt Thou approve what we, Thy ser.
wants, come to do in Thy name, by Thine
authority and under the laws Of the lana
in which we live, and graciously assist
them, this man and this woman, who
are here to be united in the bonds of
holy wedlook, according to the instiiu.
lions of Thy words? Mercifully be
pleased, Almighty God. to vouchsafe to
each of them Thy grace, that they will
well and truly weigh the uniailing vows
which they are now about to make to
each other in the presence of this com
pany and before Thee. and that they
may be enabled hereafter at all times SO
TO live together as to rejoice in the SOL
emnization of this union with joy I'M
speakabls and full Of glory, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"
THE CEREMONY.
At the conclusion of the prayer, ad
dressing the company, DIR. Sunderland
said. Wharfage is honorable among all
men in that man shall leave his father
and mother and shall cleave unto his
a. 4 a Il.