The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-04
BRILLIANT OPENING OF SOCIAL SEA-
SON IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES,
NEW YEARS AT WHITE HOUSE
This Annual Function on Yesterday
Unsurpassed by any Former One,
Beautiful Decorations of the Rooms
and Handsome Uniforms Produce q
Dazzling Scene-Usual Time for Clos
Ing the Reception Extended on 40
count of the Immense Crowd.

Washington. January LIN the long
line of New Years receptions at the
White house. which Zach year inaugu-
rates h social season at the national
capital, none, perhaps, was more bril-
liant than the one which today usher
ed in h Twentieth century.
The day had dawn duh and gray;
but the air was soft and balmy. To-.
wards IL O'Clock when the reception
opened. the sun burst through mist
and cloud. frightened the walls and
pillars Of the historic old mansion, I'M
til it shone like alabaster, and touched
the stripes Of the glorious American
flag. that floated over it. into streaks
Of flames.
The grounds of the mansion present
ed a lively scene as the carriages began
to arrive and The long line of army and
navy officers in full uniform formed To
the left of the massive porte cocherc.
Within, under the glamour OF myriads
of electric lights, which were reflected
in the happy faces of the shifting
throng. all was brilliancy. The ma
rine band, stationed under the stair
way, discoursed national airs and live
ly marches throughout the
Promptly ar IL O'Clock the bugles
sounded the approach OF the presiden-
tial party, and, led by Colonel Bing-
ham, the master of ceremonies. and
Major McCauley, of the marine corps,
the president and Mrs. Mckinley de-
seconded the main staircase, followed
by h members of the cabinet and
their wives
Ac tho nartU nassau alone RI the ra-
ceiving room the president reflected in
his smiling face his health and hap
piness. He bowed repeatedly to the
crowds assembled in the corridors,
greeting many of them with we'll
wishes of h day. Mrs. Mckinley
also bestowed her gracious greetings
upon many in the throng. and when
three sweet faced children near the
front chirped a Happy e Year."
to the first lady Of the land, she took a
handful of buds from her exquisite
bOquet Of white roses and tossed them
to the children.
The party passed into the Blue par
lor and took their places. while the
marine band burst forth with the
stirring strains of Hail to the Chief"
After the receiving party had taken
their places, the long inc Of guests be-
gan ito move.
First in line came h ambassadors
hAAN AAAAAcNO ~ AO@S@o SOSANSr 49,
companied by their full stats At their
head was the venerable and dignified
Lord Pauncefote, British ambassador
and dean of the diplomatic corps. in
the full uniform of his high diplomatic
rank. With him were Lady Paunce-
fote and the Honorable Miss Paunce-
fOte and the SmbaSSadorial staff. Fol-
lowing them came Baron Fava, the
italian ambassador; DR.. Won Holleben.
the German ambassador; NJ. Cambon,
the French ambassador; Count Cas-
SIM, the Russian ambassador. ano
Senior Don AZpirez, the Mexican am
bassador, each accompanied by his
staff and ladies'. The Chinese minister,
in his rich oriental silks. accompanied
by Madame WI. in an deliberately en-
briodered gown. attracted much atten-
ton.
After the ambassadors and ministers
came the chief justice and the aSSo-
cfate justices of the United States su-
preme court, the judges of the court
of appeals. senators and representa-
tives in congress-, former cabinet Off
cers and ministers of the United States
As the guests now began to move
from room 10 room of the spacious
mansion a scene of beauty and bril-
liancy met the eyes.
From the state dining room the
guests passed into the Red parlor
where the rich red furnishings, tapes
tries and walls were set of with Z
wealth of foliage and flowers. Tn
Blue room was the center of attention
for here the presidential party re
ceived, surrounded by the members o
the cabinet and their ladies and thos
invited to assist in receiving.
The curtains were drawn and tn
shaded electric globes threw a sol
light on the delicate blue of the roor
and the brilliant aSSemblage. Fror
~ IT, ~ncCn6 fhrnrI O
the Green room and then into spaciou
East room. Here the windows man
tells and walls were massed with ia
palms and Towering plants.
At 11:4O the officers of the army, nav
and marine corps, ablaze in gold lac
appeared. According to custom, tn
army had precedence over the nav!
and this contingent was headed o
Lieutenant General Miles and AdJutar
General Corbin, each in the full un1forl
his exalted rank. The naval sectio
was headed by Admiral Dewey and n
staff. and the marine corps by Brigs
der General Haywood.
At noon the regents of the Smith
-sonian institution and other public O.
fcials were received, and at ~
o'clock the general public was admltte
About 5000 people had been receive
up to 1:30 o'clock, the hour set II
closing the reception, but, as the crow
still stretched four abreast bevond II
outer gates, the president directed IN,
the reception proceed, that all mlgi
come in.
Mrs. Mckinley endured the trying o
deal with much composure, remalnlr
the president Dug
At one time, as a dainty nttIe 81
stepped through proudly carrying
huge doll, Mrs. Mckinley not on
greeted the little girl, but also shoe
hands with the doll to the infinite d
light of the little mother. Later VINE
a negro nanny held GOWN III
baby- Mrs. Mckinley chucked the [
under the chin and tucked a roseo'
amid it's laceS.
1T was 2 O'Clock when the end OF q
line appeared, and the president, wal
ing final salutation to the nngerl
CHESTS. escorted Mrs. Mckinley to n
apartments.