The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-23
THE FIRST RECEPTION.
The Brilliant Scene Presented at the Eek
ecutive Mansion Last Night.

WASHINGTON, June l0.-Ine w mite house
never presented more brilliant spectacle
than tonight, on the occasion of the first
official reception given by President and Mrs.
Cleveland. The decorations were on the
same grand scale as at the Presidents we'd
ding, with the exception that there were
more tropical plants and ferns and flowers,
The walls of the East Room were hidden by
plants, and garlands of smilax and ever
green's were festooned from the chandeliers
and cornices. The mantles were banked
with rare exotics and the window recesses
frilled with palms. The decorations of the
other parlors were of similar description.
The scene, when the reception was at its
height, with the rich toilets of the ladies
and the splendor of the uniforms worn by
some of the officers present, was grand.
The signal that the President and MRS.
Cleveland were ready was given promptly on
time and the Marine band, which was sta
toned in the main vestibule, struck up the
air Hail to the Chief" The receiving party
then descended from the upper portion of
the house to tie blue parlor, in the follow
ing order: The President and Mrs. Cleve-
land, Secretary and Mrs. Endicott Secretary
and Mrs. Whitney, Postmaster General and
Mrs. Villas, Colonel and Mrs. Lamont. They
ranged themselves in a semi circle in the
blue parlor, with the President first, then
Mrs. Cleveland, and Mrs. Endicott Mrs.
Whitney and Mrs. Villas in the order named.
Mrs. Cleveland was attired in her wedding
dress an ivory satin. The waist, however,
was slightly changed being pointed back
w
white silk gauntlet mits Her only orna-
ments were the diamond necklace, the we'd
ding gift of the President, and a magnificent
bouquet of white roses worn at the corsage.
Mrs. Cleveland's hair was dressed in Grecian
coils, and the charming simplicity of her
whole attire only served to show to greater
advantage the dignity of her carriage and the
graceful pose Of her figure. She had smile
for every one and a word for many, and her
winsome manners captivated all.
The President and Mrs. Cleveland were as
sisted by Mrs. Endicott Mrs. Whitney and
Mrs. Villas. Mrs. Endicott was dressed in
white satin, en- train, trimmed with black
lace, and wore diamond ornaments.
Mrs. Whitney wore a low-neck, sleeveless
white satin gown, with diamond ornaments.
Mrs. Villas was attired in a magnificent robe
of white Canton crepe, trimmed with Val
enciennes lace, and looped with clusters of
white roses. Her ornaments were diamonds.
seats in the Blue Parlor, the former attired
in a robe of black tulle en- train, and the
latter in a becoming costume of white and
| tullc.
The diplomatic corps were the first to be
presented, led by the Dean, Mr.. Preston,
| Minister of Hayti, and Mrs. Preston. All
| the legations were represented by their Min
listers or attaches. The Ministers OF Ecuador
| and Bolivia came on from New York ex-
pIessly TO pay their respects to the new
mistress of the White House, The Bra
lillian Prince Leopoldo and the officers of
the Brazilian frigate Barosso accompanied
| the members of the Brazilian legation, and
were treated with marked consideration.
Judge Porter First Assistant Secretary OF
| State and Chief Clerk Brown, presented the
gentlemen and ladies of the corps. A gen.
eral reception OF ali the other INVITED guests
then followed, without any particular order
of precedence. Colonel Wilson, OF the army,
made the presentations to the President, and
Lieutenant Duval, of the navy, the presenta-
tons to Mrs. Cleveland. The clergy was
represented by DR.. Sunderland the minister
who oficiated at the Presidents wedding,
and DIR. Milburn, the blind Chaplain of the
House of Representatives, and the judiciary
| by Justices Harlan and Bradley of the United
| States Supreme Court, and Judges Cox, Mer-
rick, Macarthur and Hagner, of the Supreme
| Court of the District. Minister McLane, ex-
| Minister Kassen and ex-Minister Foster
were among those who paid their respects.
| Congress was well representative Senate
| by Senators Sherman, Conger, Ransom, Har-
rison, Gibson, Aldrlch, Coke, Call, Cameron,
| Cockrell. Dolph, Hawley, Ingalls,, Payne
| and Teller; and the House by Speaker Car
Isle and Representatives Morrison, Burrows,
| Buchanan, McComas Findlay, Anderson of
| Kansas. Belmont, Bennett, Beach, Bliss,
Bloun, Henderson of Illinois, Wolford, By
mum, Wheeler, Regean, John M. Taylor,
! Cutcheon, Symes, Kelly, lie Fevre,
Dunn, Gibson of West Virginia and many
Others The army and navy were also well
represented. Prominent among the General
! officers were Lieutenant General Sheridan,
| Admiral Porter Admiral Stevens, Wells
and Generals Drumm, Parker, Bennett and
| HaZen.
Acting Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild were
among the early callers, and were invited to
remain with the receiving party. Mr.. and
| Mrs. Frederick Douglass were among those
who called to extend their congratulations to
| the President ard his bride.
| The reception was one of the largest ever
given at the White House, there being not
| less than 1000 guests present. With the
| close of the reception the Marine Band pro-
ceeded to the hotel and serenaded the Bra