Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-06-28
Ho,c the Duke and Infanta srere Receir-
ed tn Neic York By the Tam
ntany Element.
NEW YORK, June "a, 1898.

NEW YORK, June "a, 1898.
To the Editor Of the Free Press:
Dear Sir: 1t is doubtful whether such re-
ceptions as the people of this country have
given to the Infanta Eulalie, of the royal
house of Spain, and to the Duke de Vera
qua, or Columbus the Eleventh, as some
are pleased to call him, have ever taken
place certainly not on this side of the At
lautic since 1924, now nearly seventy years
ago. when the Marquis de Lafayette came
as guest to America for the last time
"The Patriarch of Liberty" as Henry Clay
superbly styled him, got such reception
as the world never had seen before, and,
very likely, will not behold again. Con-
gress voted to La Fayette whole town
ship of land, and a purse of 100000 into
the bargain, thus Frightening his old age
with opulence.
I have been reminded of this historical
reception in viewing those accorded by the
United States to the representative OF Col
umbus, and to the descendant of Isabella,
whose liberalty supplied to the great dis
coverer the snews of war which enabled
him to carry out his great scheme of OPEN
ing up the new world. Here in New York
the Four Hundred but much more the
Dudes. were thrown into "a state of mind"
when the Duke arrived, because "our civic
authorities" quoth they, "are all Tammany
short hairs and will not know how to do
the thing right, don't you know" But
when the Infanta came to the city the Dude
element, and its sisters, and its cousins and
its aunts, were fairly reduced to despair
ROYALTY and Democracy were to be brought
face to face, anil Tammany was TO supply
the Democratic part of the tableaux
The two receptions are now over, and, OF
course. all who know Mayor Gilroy were
not surprised to see him assume the gra-
cious duties devolving on the chief officer
of the municipality, and discharge them
admirably, as the head of the various recep-
ton committees. But the Dudes were thun-
derstruck. Probably they had been too
busy in the primrose paths they pursue,
discoursing fusion with their own shadows,
and consuming their energies In the TRIP
peries and follies of fashionable nonentity,
which they suppose to be life, to ever have
laid eyes on Mayor Gilroy before. He is 2
fine looking, affable man of affairs, nation
al leader OF men, an adept in all the little
arts of true politeness which distinguish the
real gentleman from your Osrics of society,
yclept Dudes and never was this city rep
resented in civic and social festivities, such
as have just now followed each other with
lavish hospitality and magnificent profu-
sion, by any mayor in the long line of its
distinguished chief magistrates with more
dignity, refinement of manners, ready grace
of department and true American hospital
ity to illustrious strangers than Thomas F.
Gilroy displayed in his attentions to the
Duke and Royal Princess. The -Four Hun
bred have voted the mayor trump, even
though he is Democrat of the Tammany
Hall school, and the distinguished strangers
have gone away bearing with them delight
full recolections and frequently
appreciation of the accomplished gentleman
who is mayor Of New York.
Yours truly, j. +. Mel.