Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-01-04
A BRILLIANT RECEPTION
TnE PREsIDExr AND WIFE RE-
cEEVE AT TEzE WRITE HOUSE.
w. and srs. Mckinley BcStow Greet
inS~ Upon a Great Th-oeg OF Dis-
sinSuisiscd Guesss-The Tweaticsh
Century EnsuSnrated By n Mag
indecent social Function-A Scene
OF Aesuts and Briniancy at the
White House.

Washington, January I'm the long
ire of New Years receptions at the
White House, which. each year inaugu-
rate the social season at the National
Capital. none. perhaps. was moro bril-
uant than the one which to-day ushered
IN the twentieth century. The day had
aawnid duh and gray, but the air was
soft and balmy. Toward IL O'Clock.
when The reception opened. the sun
ourst through mist and cloud. brighten
ed the walls and pillars Of the historic
DID mansion until II shone like alabas-
ter and touched the stripes of the glo-
'ious American hag that fioated over it
nto strealas OF flame.
The grounds Of the mansion presented
SURFING scene as the carriages began
20 arrive, and the long line of army
ino navy ofheers, in fun uniform, form
I'd 70 the left OF the massive porte
,ochere. Within, under the glamour of
myrfAds OF electric lights, which were
reflected i'm Ae happy faces of the
shifting thrors, all was brilliancy. The
Marine BanCl stationed under the
stairway, disc nrsed national airs and
lively marches, throughout the cere-
monv.
Promptly at h1 o'clock the bugles
sounded the ap roach Of the Presiden-
tial party, and. lea by Colonel Bing-
ham, the mastk- OF ceremonies, and
Major McCauleyl Of The marine corps,
the President ard Mrs. Mckinney de-
scended the main staircase, followed
by the members Of the Cabinet and
their wives. As nc party passed along
10 the receiving room the President re-
Elected in his smiling face his health
and happiness. lie bowed repeatedly to
the crowds assembled in the corridors,
greeting many OF them with well wishes
OF the day. Mrs. Mckinley also be
slowed her gracious greetings upon
many in the throng, and when three
sweet-Gaced children near the front
chifped happy New Year" TO the
frs lady Of the land she took a handful
Of luds from her exquisite bouquet Of
white roses and tossed chem to the
chiiiren. The party passed into the
Blu parlor and took their places, while
the Marine Band burst forth with the
stirring strains OF Hail to The
Chi1f."
After the receiving party had taken
their places the long line OF guests be
gan to move. First In line came the
AMI asso doris and Ministers from for
eign countries. accompanied by their
full stafIs. At their head was the ven
cradle and dignifed Lord Pauncefote,
British Ambagsa dor and dean OF the
diplomatic corps, in the fun uniform OF
his high diplomatic rank With him
were Lady Paunccfote and the honora-
BILE Miss Pauncefote and the ambGssa-
dorial star. Following them came
Baron Fava, the italian Ambassador;
DR.. von- Holleben, the German Ambas-
sadOr; NJ. Cambon, the French Ambas-
sador; Count CasSini the Russian AM
bassador, and SenUr Don Azpirez, the
Mexican AnlDassadOr. each aCCOmrc-
MED by his staff and ladies. The Chi
nese Minister, in his rich Oriental silks,
accompanied by Madame WI, in elab-
orately embroidered gown, attracted
much attention.
After the Ambassadors and Ministers
came the Chief Justice and Associate
Justices Of the United States Supreme
Court, the Judges Of the Court of APP
peals. Senators and Representatives I'm
Congress. former Cabinet officers and
Ministers Of the United States. IS the
guests now began 60 move from room
to room Of the spacious mansion a scene
of beauty and brilliancy met the eyes.
From the State dininS~room the guests
passed into the Red Parlor, where the
rich-red furnishings. tapestries and
walls were set off with a wealth OF
foliage and flowers. The Blue Room
was the centre of attention, for here
the Presidential party received sur
rounded by the members OF the Cabi-
net and their ladies and those invited TO
assist in receiving. The curtains were
drawn and the shaded electric globes
threw soft light on the delicate blue
of the room and the brilliant assem-
blage. From the Blue Room the line
passed through the Green Room. and
thereinto the spacious East Room.
Here the windows, mantels and walls
were massed with tall palms and flow
ering plants.
At il:40 the officers OF the army. navy
and marine corps, brave in gold lace,
appeared. According TO custom, the
army had precedence over the navy
and this contingent was headed by
Northumberland Miles and Adju-
tant-General Corbin, each in the full
uniform Of his exalted rank. Tho naval
section was headed by Admiral Dewey
and his staff. and the marine corps by
Brigadier-G General Haywood.
At noon the regents Of the Smith
sonian Institution and other public off,
ciais- Were received, and at 1880 the
general public was admitted.
About 5000 people had been received
np to 1880 O'Clock, the hour set for clos
Ing the reception, but the crowd sun
stretched four abreast beyond the
Outer. gates. and the President directed
that The reception proceed. that all
might come in. 1dTs. Mckinley en-
lured the trying ordeal with much COM
posure, remaining alongside the Presi-
dent throughout Al enc time, as u
dainty little girl stepped through,
proudly carrying huge doll, Mrs. Nc
Kinley not only greeted the little girl,
but also shook hands with the doll, TO
the infinite delight of the little mother
Later, when negro nanny" had
down a Tiny baby, Mrs. Mckinley
chucked the tot under the chin and
tucked a rosebud amid its laces,
1t was 2 O'Clock when the end OF the
line appeared, aud the President, wav-
ing final salCtation to the lingering
guests, escorted MIS-. Mckinley to her
apartments.
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