The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-07

washington, January I-HreSldenl
Roosevelt's first public reception wa.
attended more largely than any New
Years reception in a number OF years
In all 800 persons filed through tI'
White house and shook hands with The
president.
Nh. Roosevelt. on being apprised that
the crowd in line outside the White
house was unusually large, gave orderr
that the gatsIA2uld not be closed un-
til the last person SA.i to do. SO had
an opportunity to a his respects.
The reception began promptly at II
o'clock and it was 2:30 O'Clock before
the last person in line had been present
Ell to the president and a quarter Of ar
-Four later before the reception came to
an end.
n The weather was delightful, being
clear and crisp, so that no hardship
was suffered by the throng that waited
for hours before admission to the White
house.
The reception was in every way sue.
cessful. the not only beine
large. but the decorations really beau
tiful, the arrangements perfect and the
III IL NGASI
person he extended a cordial happy
New Year. and Mrs. Roosevelt was
equally pleasing to each of those who
filed past the line in the Blue parlor
where h reception party stood.
Miss Alice Roosevelt was conspicuous
among those assisting at the reception
A party of her young girl friends by in
vitation also participated in the func-
ton.
The interior of the mansion was
aglow with a myriad of electric 'igcts
n 10 this was added the beauty of q
~profusion of flowers, plants, and vines.
banked about the mantels and drape1
from chandeliers and walls. The hnraJ
decorations reached their height vi q:
~fectiveness in the East room. Here the
great crystal chandeliers were lOIp"j
with smilax, while the recesses of the
chamber were banked with poinsetta
blossoms, begOniaS and tall ferns. In
the Red and the Blue parlors there were
the same effective disposition of Il Iwers
and plants. the flaming red of the pcin-
setta being most apparent everywhere
In the outer corridor. just within the
entrance, the band of the engiaCeT
corps. United States army, sixty strong.
in their brilliant uniforms, were arrans-
ed in tiers. while further along in the
conservatory was the full membership
of the marine band, in bright uniforms.
While the musicians were taking then
places the Roosevelt children were hay
ing a merry time through the corridors
and one of them could be heard playing
the Kangaroo March in the private
apartments of the presidential family.
The Diplomatic Corps.
Shortly before IL O'Clock the thrones
of distinguished callers began to assem-.
BILE in the main corridor. First came
the members of the diplomatic corps in
their rich court uniforms, resplendenr
in medals and decorations. 1t was a
most cosmopolitan, throng, with the orr
entail silks of the Chinese minister and
his suite, the red fez of the Turkish
minister and the more modern, bui
equally gorgeous attire of The japanese
and CoreanS conspicuous amid the
groups of diplomatistS. The members
of the corps gathered in the H,d parlOl
preparatory to being presented to the
president and those about MIN.
Entrance of ~residential Party.
Exactly at IL o'clock a fanfare from
three trumpeters, stationed at the
further end of the main corridor. an
nounced the approach of the president
and the receiving party. AT the same
momen President and Mrs. Roosevelt:
appeared at the upper landing of the
corridor, and arm in arm, descended the
stairway, while the marine band broke
in Hail to the Chief" The president
bowed as he passed along. frequently
giving a CHEEKY response to the New
Years greetings extended to him cru...
hose in the line.
Mrs. Roosevelt held in her hand 81 su.
perb bouquet of pink orchids. She wore
a gown of white satin. heavily ple'IIc1,
with lace yoke and diamond ornaments
and in her hair spanked a diamond
tiara