The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-01-07
NEW YEARS AT THEwHITE HOUSE.
Legati, Eterati, Patres, Oonscripti, Ju-
dices, Mulieres, Miletes, ct Nantae
ct Plebs, "Profanum Vulgas,"
ct African.


WASHINGTON, Jan. /, 1SS6.-The event
here to-day was the reception at the
white house. The first to arrive at a
presidential new years reception are
the correspondent Is OF newspapers and
the marine band. These are all sta
toned in the large ante-room or main
vestibule, the band to furnish the mu-
sic ior the great procession, 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 admitted to the holy of
holies, the blue room, where they
could make accurate notes OF the dress
es of Miss Cleveland and the cabinet
ladies who assisted the president in
receiving. Your own correspondent
was among these favored ones.
1t has been said that Mr. Cleveland
never appears t. better advantage than
when receiving callers. lie 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
we'll fitting Prince Albert coat, he
| looked physically equal to the ordeal of
four hours of handshaking that was
about to begin. And so he proved to
be, for at two o'clock, p. N when the
doors of the mansion were clos ed, and
after he had shaken by the hand about
five thousand people, and given each
one a smile and cordial 81 am glad TO
see you,"it was remarked that, through
it 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 pass
ing 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 caller on the programme. Each
one of them looked cheerful and well
and in good condition every way. The
secretary of state first wished the presi-
dent a happy new year, and then paid
the compliments of the season to the
ladies all along the line, followed by
the other members of the cabinet. They
passed into the east room, as the diplo-
matte corps was coming up in their
rich, gaudy attire. Some of these Dip
lomaUs came to the white house in cor
oneted carriages, and adorned with
swords and sashes and gold lace, their
padded chests covered withlstars, crosses
and other insignia of rank or office.
Among those mo- notable for elabo-
rate decorations, were the English,
French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and
Chinese ministers. AS fast as the
president disposed OF the gilded for
eigners, they marched into the east
room where they had more extensive
scope for the display of their 5rilliancy.
Then the supreme court of the United
States was on hand, that august body,
which has recently been so basely Ii
beled IN regard to keeping for its own
special use "A bar-rOOm in some mystic
rious recess of the capitol.
Congress next greeted the president,
aud then judges OF the various courts of
the District of Colum bia, the commits
sioner OF the district, the judicial Off
GERS of the district, ex-members of the
cabinet and eX-ministers of 1.-THE United
States. The army and navy officers in
their imposing uniforms came next,
and then followed department officials
and civil organizations too tedious to
enumerate. Finally the people came,
and for an hour stream of promiscu-
Gus humanity swept through the par
lors. They were old and young, black
and white, richly dressed and poorly
clad, citizens and strangers, with here
and there an Indian from the tar west.