New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-06
A RAID on THE WHITE HOUSE.
sKrJFUL FLANK MOVEMENT OF THE
coMMANDER-IN-cHIEF

HE SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDS AN ARMY OF OFFICE
SEEKERS AND DISAPPOINTED Ex-sTArEs-
MEN. AND is NOW PROBABLY
HUNTING DUCKS ~ THE
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUNDS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, March THAT the President ana
Commander in Chief OF the Army and Navy OF the
United States is a strategist OF no mean ability
was conciusiveIy demonstrated by the skifu flank
movement that he executed this morning In the
face OF the enemy. The force OF the enemy was
numerically small. but IL composed OF daring
and desperate men-Democratic veterans VINO ha'
served with more less distinction. but always
bravely. in the House OF Representatives OF inc
Lid Congress Some OF them awake before
the reveille sounded this mornins-in fact'
they had been awake most OF the night. in order
10 be ready FOR acton-and the rest were on the
alert within an hour after sunrise. They were
10 move on the White House soon az the gates
were opened by the transporting retaineTs OF me
"Consecrated one" and the faithful sentry at the
White House portal had been withdrawn. II was
a busy hour for barkeepers in saloons where the
invading forces prmed themselves with cocktails
and "whskey straight" and made other needful
preparations for the coming assault
It was also a busy hour for the President VINO
overhauled his small and assured himself that
they were In good and proper order. But he did
not propose 10 stand a siege. Congress had been
ION hs hands until he was aweary. lie knew
how hungry and desperate were the enemy. whos"
plans he seems clearly and cleverly TO have pcne-
tratcd, and with wise forethough hS had planned
and caused all necessary preparations 10 be made
for the flank movement that seemed necessary Tor
his personal comfort well az safety. Govern
mont steamer had been brought 10 one OF the PR
waite wharves. and coaled and provisional for
voyage. end she had steam up at daylight After
an early and hasty breakfast the President and
his faithful companion. Surgeon O'Reiy. LEFT
the White House by the back door. entered
carriage. and swiftly driven to the wharf
where they Immediately embarked on the Govern
ment vessel that was TO bear them safely away
ear from the madding crowd"
So qu city and skilfully was the movement planned
and executed that no hint % II reached the ears
OF a single man OF the invading hos;. which an
/ hour later advanced on the White House. 1t mum
bered about two hundred men. moro or loss. ana
/ II revived memories o. Orpheus {. kerrs famous
"Mackrell Brigade" The members wore no cpau-
lettes. but the countenance OF each and every on"
d'd wear rcsolute. abei. anxious and care~orn.
expression. Win more or less steady steps they
marched and on. through tho gates through
the broad entrance and MP tho steep sta'rwd-.
whore they found-Thnrbcr.
Can / be admitted 10 the presence % His EN-
, celencye" mildy asked grizzled yeierar-an cN-
statesman who had served long years ia Congress.
Not today Perhaps some other day. can | DO
anything for youe'
no" the sour reply. Il came 20 soc He Ey-
ceency on business % great importanee. VIII you
SEND my card 20 him"
The hrlble follower ana faithful guardian - the
'Consecrated one" replied.
Il am sorry 20 say ! cannot q, D. Probably o.
may proper for me 10 remark incidentally that
His Excenency set sail from The Nai'ona' >lpi1l
soms hours ago and r. now somc~hcr~ near
Mount Vernon. where all tina; = mortal OF ~" for
mer Father OF his Country rcposcs You will there
fore understand why cannot deliver Jour card 10
HIs ENccllcncy this morning
BY this time the spacious room vas crow icI With
disappointed. angry anl Disguised cN-satesm"n. nat
they all remained silent While the sivery chimes OF
a cuckoo clock IN an adjoining apartment toll ine
hour. and then one OF them. 30 Voice hoar-c win
"r9ih but d"snaiFns IN tone. demanded o.,
he go away FOR? When j. he coming back: must
SEE him tell yea We must all see him"
Il cannot tell You WHITTIER Ills EXccle1cy has
gone nor when he win return. These Ar" executive
secrets that mus; not be revealed Il T. perhaps
sponse - your other question. that His ENcclcucy
ceivcd IN the course of the aSj winter In mys
terous manner In his sleeping hours h" has been
ter ha Ris Wild horse: in consr.ss haa become
unmanageabe have never y@niured 10 AK him
a member Of Ills Excellencys Official family say to
body they had shorter legs and larger ears am
|
/ haps some Of you gentlemen may he able To en-
tighten that point
As he SAID this the Private Secretary raised his
eyes ana that the crowd had vanished and that
he left alone. AZ soon as they had escaped
into the open air the invading forces dissolved.
Some Of the ex-statesmrn mad" their way 10 The
several Government departments and beSescd the
Secretaries. Assistant Secretaries AMI bureau
chiefs ana had ,hcir trouble for their pains. while
Others sought convenient saloons whore they tried
to drown their In strong waters. and In
dulged Ia the Of language that would be unit
for publication Meanwhile the Commandment
chief OF the Army and Navy OF tho United states
was gayly stcamlng down the Potomac at the dizzy
rate OF ten miles an hour In a Government vessel
well stocked with provisions and groceries. both
I wet and dry. bound for waters ~hoSe shores have
never heard the click Of the telegraph and when
seldom visited by the mall carriers. II II re-
ported that ne will be absent about a fortnight.
The lighthouse tender Violet. on which the Presi-
dent sailed IL TO make her regular tour Of inspcc-
ton In the lighthouse district. Including the sounds
OF North Carolina. The President accompanied
by Or. O'Reilly. his physician. Commander George
De r. Wilde. naval secretary OF the Lighthouse
Board and Commander Benjamin +. I.amberton. In
specor Of this lighthouse district The cruise OF the
Violet will about the same territory was
/ covered her former trips with Mr.. Cleveland.