The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-01-03

President Assisted by Mrs. Roosevelt
and Ladies of the Cabinet-Over
5000 Receives Cordial Hand Clasp.
Army, Navy and Marine Corps
Represented-Unifo of Military
and Costumes of Foreign DiplO-
mats Added to the GeorgeOusness
Of the Scene.
Washington, January 1.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt received at the white
house today for the seventh time
new years throng of well-wishers
which was three hours in passing his
stand. Mrs. Roosevelt and the men,
bers and ladies of the cabinet were
his assistants.
Though curtailed in number, 5 &C IS, :,
by more than a thousand over the
preceding new years day, the recep-
tiOn was reSDlendant in all the Incl
. dents Of tradition which have accu-
mulated to its interest for more
than a hundred years.
The gOrgeousness of the diploma
tic and military features, the cor
diality Of the many personal friends
of the president, who made him
their seventh annual greeting as
such, and the intensely human and
patriotic characteristics of the Ameri-
can people typitied by the thousands
who represented them today, all COM
bined to make a happy conclusion
to the historic event.
From greeting in stately dignity
and appropriate surrOundiGGs the
ambassadors and ministers q tie na
tions OF the world to stCopinG down
to grasp the hand Of ''DOi.E' that
its fond parent Of yeaT ana
half might be gratified, were the
extremes required Of the president
and both the infant and diplomat
realized an anticipated pleasure. And
the president enjoyed it all.
The setting-the historic white
hOuse-and the picturesque and en-
tertaining accessories were amply
sufficient to enthuse the holiday eX
hilaratiOn. There were other inter
esting phases beside the scenic beauty
and presidential cOrdiality which con-
stituted the feast to the public. The
presence of men whose names are
daily in the public prints as presi-
Dental 2SpirantS, lent interest to
more subtitle observations. The vice
president, the speaker of the house
of representatives, Secretary Cortel-
you, Senator LaFollette, all of whom
had pleasing things said to them in
uished guests gathered to chat after
passing through the historic blue
parlor and making their bow to the
receiving party. Then there was Ad-
miral BrOwnsOn whose recent diff
ferences with the president led to his
resignation as chief of the bureau of
navigation. He came late, but hur-
ried through the lobby and corridor
and reached the president near the
head Of the gorgeOusly uniformed
naval line.
The president greeted him cordially.
The admiral received many hearty
hand clasps from brother officers OF
the line of the navy. Admiral Rixey
also was in the naval contingent.
The arrangement Of the program
based on previous years, gave two
hours for the official part of the re-
ception. Owing to the lesser num-
ber from congress, from the corps
of army officers and government Of
ficials, the public was admitted
rhalf hour before | o'clock, and step
ping to quick music by the marine
band the line crowded through the
receiving room for eighty-seven min
uteS.
Baron Edmondo Mayor des Plan
ches, the italian ambassador, as
dean Of the diplomatic corps, had the
honor of leading that corps. Briga-
dier General ]. Franklin Bell. chief
of staff, led the army and Admiral
Dewey the navy.
Secretary and Mrs. Root left the
reception shortly after the diplo-
mats passed along the line, so as to
be at their own home in time to
receive them.
The ntceties Of diplomatic eti-
uuette were religiously observed in
the conduct on that part of the re-
ception which has grown during the
past hundred years and more to par
take largely of the nature of an
official function. In this way, but
without appearance of pre-arrange-
ment, the president greeted first the
vice president and the members of
his cabinet. then each foreign ma
ton represented in the person Of am
bassador or minister; the judiciary,
through the personnel of the supreme
court bench the judges of the local
federal and district courts; Senators
and representatives in congress; Of
! ficers of the army, navy, marine corps
and militia of the district of Colum-
!. bia; heads of government bureaus
and members of government COM
missions; organizations Of veterans,
inciuding the Society of Cincinnati; !;
Aztec Club, of 1874; Associated Vet
/