Huntsville gazette., 1889-05-11
was rendered them by the committee on


the Equitable building at 1:55 y, m, The
PRESIDENT then, escorted by the committee
ON States, entered the grand court between
the lines OF troops. AS he entered the
troops on either side presented arms,n
and the full choir Of Trinity Church, con-
Quoted by DR.. Messiter, the organist and
choir master Of Trinity, descended the
staircase opposite the entrance and
grouped themselves at the foot.
They sang the hymn, 'Before tho
Lord We Bow" The solemn hymn, rem
dered by this grand chorus, resounded
through the marble hall and stirred the
hearts Of all who heard it. AS the lunch
con began. Chairman w. G. Hamilton of
the committee on States, presented the
President with silver case containing
the elegant souvenir cards of invitation.
In doing 80, Mr. Hamilton made few
formal remarks, to which the President
bowed acknowledgment. Following this
the choir sang the doxologv, accompanied
by a full corps Of cornets. When the
music had ceased the President was con-
Quoted to the Lawyers Club rooms where
a reception took place.
One agreeable feature Of the affair, was
the absence of handshaking. The floor
two, and presented them to the President,
who merely bowed and received bows in
return. Some 200 guests were presented
to the Chief Magistrate. They represented
every profession and trade in the city.
Only few times did the President vio-
late the rule against hand-shaking. TIL,
first occasion was when white haired
veteran wearing the uniform of the Grand
Army uncovered his head and extended
his hand. Some personal friends cams
later and were also favored with hand
shake.
The reception lasted an hour, after
which the President and his party, with
a limited number Of guests, were escorted
to the breakfast-room. Here large and
beautiful table was ready. The table was
q mass Of flowers clustered around
massive century plant, said to be over
one hundred years old. Palm trees and
potted plants were about the room in
great profusion. The scene was one Of
great beauty as the party entered. Elec-
trio lights, which had been concealed in
the leaves Of the palms and plants, now
burst forth in blaze Of light, and the ta-
BILE was radiant with color and
light. The feast which followed was
elaborate for breakfast and was thor
oughly enjoyed by all present.
When the breakfast was nearly over the
Presidents health was drank by all,
standing. Shortly after half past three
O'Clock the President and party started
for the City Hall, escorted by the vet
Grams of the Seventh and Twenty second
regim ents.
On the steps of the City Hall two hun
dred girls from the grammar schools and
thirteen from the Normal school well
coined the President. The two hundred
grammar school pupils met him at the
foot of the steps and strewed flowers in
his path. The thirteen from the Normal
school awaited him at the entrance to the
City Hall, ana there one Of them, Miss
Anna A. Abrahams, beautiful girl of
sixteen, stepped from her place in tho
line Of girls and addressed the President.
At the conclusion of Miss Abraham's
speech, Miss Fannie B. Cole, Of the Nor
NAL College, presented the President
with large bouquet Of beautiful roses
and an engrossed copy OF the address
bound in seal.
Another young lady pinned a rose tc
the lapel of the Presidents coat.
The Presidential party then proceeded
to the gaily decorated Governors room,
where public reception was held.
At five O'Clock the reception closed and
it was then estimated that six thousand
people had passed in line before tho
President. During the reception Presi-
dent Harrison stood on dais carpeted
with red velvet placed at one end Of the
room. Governor Hill stood at his right
and Mayor Grant at his left. brass
railing separated the dais from the rest
Of the room and in front of this tho call
ers passed and bowed to the Presidential
party. After the reception the President
was escorted to the residence OF Vice
President Morton by the committee on
States.