Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-02-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Alice Roosevelt, daughter of the Presi-
dent OF the United States, was married
at noon today to Representative Mich
olas Longworth, of Ohio, at the White
House by Bishop Batteries of the Epis-
copal church. 1t was the first White
House wedding since Frances Folsom
was led to the altar in the same East
Room by Grover Cleveland. then Presl-
dent of the United States.
But the country has grown even in
the few years since Cleveland's day.
and the wedding was certainly the
most notable social event that has ever
occurred in this country. 1t Was an
event that had attracted the attention
of all the courts of Europe and the
bride was remembered in gifts from
nearly all the monarchs and govern
ments Of the world. 1t IS rare thing
that the French government, the EN-
peror Of Germany and the King of
England have all combined to recognize
wedding outside of Europe. Yet not
only they bat the Empress of China
and the Mikado of Japan were among
the thousands who sent presents. Such
an array Of gifts has never been seen
at any other wedding in America. Some
of the marriages of multi-millionaires
in New York may have equalled 1t in
the intrinsic value of the gifts, but
there has never before been such
general recognition of an event by for
eign governments and rulers. There
has certainly never been wedding at
which the Empress of China, the King
of England and party of Indian chiefs
from the far west have com ined as
contributors. Yet this was so in the
present case, for one of the compare
lively few presents to the groom was
buffalo hide waist-coat from a party
Of POnca Indians now here on business
with the Interior Department. The
garment is the finest possible specimen
of Indian handiwork and coming from
the skin of practically extinct ami
NAL, it is almost priceless. The In
dians in question chased Representa-.
tive Longworth all over the Capitol on
Thursday to present the gift to him.
But he fed from the noterlety, and
they had to wind mp at the White
House and leave 1t with the President
who looked it over with practiced
and appreciative eye and said what it
was really worth. 1t is funny the way
the President can fit In with anything
or anybody who calls at the White
House from bunch of cow punchers
to visiting Prince and leave them all
nnder the impression, and pretty near
ly the correct impression, that he ls
their sort of people and is the real
thing.
But to continue with the wedding.
The ceremony was performed in the
East Room under a canopy of palms
that had been moved back against the
wall after vehement protest yester-
day from the bride-elect that she Ibid
not intend to be married in tunel. "
The ceremony was as simple and brief
as the circumstances warranted, and
and as soon as 1t was over the party
separated and adjourned to the Green
Room and the Blue Room where the
Presidential party and about sixty
guests sat down to wedding breakfast
while the other witnesses were enter
tanned at buffet luncheon. The
gathering gradually broke up. The
wedding breakfast lasted till we'll into |
the afternoon, and the other guests
were going from half an hour after the |
ceremony till almost dark. 1t was this |
gradual dispersal that favored the plans
Of the bride groom.
There had been an iDfnity of specu-
latiOn as to where the young couple
would spend their honeymoon. No
has been given out from
the w bite House, and 1t had been gen
orally agreed that they were going
south and would put in week or more
10 Virginia and Florida before official
duties called Mr.. Longworth back to
But there is certain
friendly interest on that part of the
American public that sometimes over.
steps the bounds of propriety, and it
was realized that if the destination Of
the bridal couple were known that life
would be made uncomfortable for them
~ curiosity seekers, camera fiends and
few newspaper correspondents who
ither do not know any better or who
10 not care. 80 it was allowed to leak ]
tut that they were going south. In /
nediately all the interested parties got
'usy and selected even the private car ]
m which fhov woro tn travel 2onoo ,