The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-15

Incidents Attending One of Gen. Harrison
Tri-WeeklY Hand Shakes with the Pennle

Incidents Attending One of Gen. Harrison's
Tri-Weekly Hand-Shakes with the People.
Washington Special to Cleveland Leader.
"God bless you. Mr.. President" said
benign appearing old lady, as she grasped
General Harrison's hand with both of hers
at the noon reception to-day. 1 have no
doubt that her benediction was a sincere
and fervent one. Her looks showed that
she felt the words in their fullest meaning.
President Harrison is the soul of punctu-
ality. These informal tri-weekly recep-
tiOns, at which he shakes hands with those
who wish to greet him, take place at
o'clock. Two or three minutes before that
time he excuses himself from those in at
tendance upon him-Congressmen, Sena-
tors, Governors or whomsoever they may
be-and goes down to meet 'the people,
To-day went to the White House with a
friend from Cleveland who felt that his
visit to Washington would be failure if
he did not see the President. The East
Room was pretty well filled with
people on on the same errand.. There
en were fully .nh three es;,dran hundred OF them
the executive hand. They were a mixed
company, representing all classes and con-
ditions in life. There were the rich in
broadcloths and silks. and the poor, clad in
young, matrons and maidens, and plenty of
boys and girls, bnt, an unusual fact, not
baby in arms in the whole company. There
were half dozen or more bridal couples
you couldn't mistake the honeymoon
and women, some of them very black, were
there. All were upon plane of absolute
equality, as citizens of th,s great Republic.
If one stops to think about it at such a
time he will be impressed with the spirit
OF our free institutions.
1t was O'clock to the second when the
big double doors leading into the East Room
from the main corridor were opened and
the President, smiling graciously made his
appearance. Two of the White House at
taches took position near him, like tellers
in the House of Representatives, SO that
the people could pass between them in
single file. There was no ceremony. The
handshaking began at once, the people
scurrying into the hall and thence out into
the vestibule. 1t was curious to note the
different bearing of the shakers. Some were
calm and self possessed, as If they realized
that General Harrison is but man,
like other men. Some appeared to be
frightened half out of their wits at the
majestic thought of being in the actual
presence and touching the hand Of Presi-
dent. Dozens of them looked at him in q
scared way as they hurried past. and l
to take the Presidents hand at all. 1t was
ihvitingly held out to them, but in their
panicky state of mind they went by almost
at a hop, skip and jump, without seeing it.
or else they. were afraid to touch it. Some
men saluted tho President with profound
bows, and spoke hurried word or two of
greeting; others walked past as stifiiy as if
they were made of wood, without any
joints.
they
smiles. General Harrison paying them
back in kind. He could safely do this, as
Mrs. Harrison was not there. One effusive
young lady brought as an Offering at the
Presidents shrine bunch of fresh violets.
She was armed with pin, and to the utter
astOnishment of the more timid ones she in
sisted on pinning the pretty boutonniere to
the lapel of his coat. The President good
The .girf was. evidently bit excited. and
did the job rather awkwardly, getting red
in the face and contriving to stick the pin
into her thumb, which made everybody
laugh-including the Presidentex-
cept the blooming damself herself.
She didn't appear to see anything to
laugh at. She got it on at last and General
Harrison thanked her and gave her an ex-
ira shake. She looked as though hewould
let him kiss her if he wanted TO. She was
pretty enough to make such a thing at
least ordinarily enjoyable. but he didn't
take the hint and she passed on.
The procession. which had been stopped
for a minute or SO by this episode. started
again. and nothing else occurred TO hinder
its movement. The Presidents fondness
for children showed itself whenever the
little tots were led up by proud fathers and
happy mothers. They seemed to be
profoundly impressed by the magni-
tude and solemnity of such an
event. in their young lives, and
looked up with big, wondering eyes at the
President as he reached down and took hold
of their fat fingers. One little fellow was
so overcome by his emotions that he burst
out crying All the little ones were exceed
ingly pretty and winning. and each was
greeted by the President with smile, and
now and then pat on the cheek. The
words of another who loved children may
without irrevesence be applied to General
Harrison: "Suffer little children to COME
unto me, and forbid them not"
When the people. were passing the Presi-
dent at the fastest gait / held my watch
and "timed" them. Thirty-eight hands
were shaken in one minute. Then i took
my pescii and figured @ out that at this rate.
| ing hands for ten hours . day, allowing