Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-03-24
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTIONS
GATHERINGS Al
THE Elk ECUTIvE MANSION.
People One May Meet at q Presiden-
tiaI Reception-A Panorama OF
Oficiai and Political Life.


tiaI Reception-A Panorama OF
oniciai and Political Life.
N T the Presidents house on Q
~ reception night, or at the house
~ Of cabinet officer on a Wed
nesdsy afternoon, or OF Sen
ator on q Thursday afternoon, or at any
place to which people are asked for theii
public position, there will be found men
and women representing every stage Of
prosperity in the Union, and every honest.
calling that leads to prosperity. And
that is precisely what is to be found In
the public places Of the Republican
the House OF Representatives, in the
Senate, in tue Cabinet, on the Supreme
Bench, and in the White House itself.
1t is a strange and interesting accumula'
ton Of human beings, most OF them too
timid to be as interesting as they might
be. Even when the President issues
cards, the people who get together make
up a curious conglOmerate.
The new Congressman takes his wife
to the Presidents, expecting to find tie
entertainment not very different, al
though perhaps on a somewhat grander
scale, from that to which he is accus-
toned in the judges house at the county
seat during court week. So he goes,
perhaps, in his frock-cost, feeling an
American prejudice against evening
dress, aud a white or lilac tie, while his
rather fearful helpmate has put on her
best black silk, modest or prudish, as
YOU will. with its high neck and Its
long sleeves. The new Congressman
experiences no trepldstion in addressing
the President. They are both politi-
clans, and the new Congressman may
even believe for moment that some
day he may even stand at the head Of g
line Of well dressed women, whose nocks
and arms now shine in his startled eyes.
Ha does not doubt that the President 10
aware Of the unique viclssItudes OF the
recent campaign IN his district. There
are a hundred subjects that the two have
in common, but he is disappointed as BE-
is about to utter his first smart phrase oil
conversation to feel that the Presidents
hand Is gently impelliug him forward
and that there is soft pressure OF the
crowd behind him in the same direction.
Il is his first introduction TO the reti-
ceuses and restraints of high life, An in.
PRODUCTION which is emphasized and
made more impressive by the dlslnclina-
ton OF the receiving women to shake
hands, or to indicate their recognition Of
the new member by anything warmer
or more emphatic than a courtesy,
which, however, is quite enough for the
timorous wife at his side, who, much
more than her husband shrinks before
the grand danes OF the White House
and Cabinet, some of whom were born
TO polite society, while some have ac-
quired large amount of social assur-
ance during their husbands struggles up
the ladder OF fame.
Other persons besides Congressman are
here, some OF them equally uncomfort-
able, many OF them, however, enjoying
themselves to the utmost. There is a
panorama Of all that is prominent in Off
cial and political life. There are officers
OF the army and navy who have been on
staff duty at the capital, aud are now
undergoing, with pleasure or fortitude,
as the case may be, the pronounced adj
miration OF young women. There are
older officers, who have been more re-
Gently on the plains, and who come to
the function with their W Ives and daugh.
tens and sisters with delight or rever-
ence due, to their honest thinking, TO
the highest and most Respondent social
ceremony in this Countrywide drawing
room not only Of the head Of the Nation,
but OF the commander in C lief OF the
two military services. The army and
navy folk of the stall are usually of that
inner circle whose peculiar traits aud
customs are not now under considera
ton; but the army people who have spent
years on the plains know nothing better,
or wiser, or generally more praise.
worthy, than their own people. There.
fore they will be found to.
gether. although the excited women,
who have for years endured with noble
patience the monotony of life at army
posts, are iejoiced beyond words II they
may only grasp the hand and hear the
voice Of some paragon of Congressional
wisdom who has been good to their hus.
bands or to the service.
There will be diplomats in dazzling
uniforms; Chinese mandarins in silk at
tire; japanese officials, the men in the
black evening dress Of convention, aud
the women in the proper costume OF
Europe and America.
Nearly every one of those who make
up this interesting human collection flndl
somewhere in the moving throng friend
or comrade who will save him from that
terrible isolation OF an evening patty
which most persons have felt, aud which
is often as depressing as the solitude Of
great city. There is little need to be
alone, and the object of a wondering
gaze that freezes the warm blood, in a
crush at Washington reception. -Har.
per's Magazine.