The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-01-07
THE NEW YEAR AT THE WHITE
HOUSE.
Every state and Nation Were Repre-
! esnted-The Attendance Was Over
6.00e-Shadow Of Sadness Cast by
Itaiy's Disaster.

esnted-The Attendance Was Over
6.0oe-Shadow Of Sadness Cast by
ItaIy's Disaster.
Washington. ID. c., Jan. 1.--Presi-
dent Roosevelt and over SIX thousand
people, representing every land and
every State and Territory in the
Union, to-day exchanged happy New
Year greetings at the White House
For three and half hours the Pres
ident stood receiving his guests, and
when the reception was ended last
years record of attendance had been
broken by over seven hundred.
Many men and women distinguish
ed In the official and social life in
Washington were present.
The brilliant court dress of MEM
bers of the diplomatic corps gave a
picturesque aspect TO the annual
function which throughout was
marked by an absence of formality.
The number of small children who
shake hands with the President was
! unprecented.
| Contrary to the custom OF recent
years, Mrs. Roosevelt and the ladies
/ of the Cabinet remained in the Red
| Room throughout the function.
A shadow of sadness was cast over
the company by the recent terrible
calamity which had befaifen upon
the Italian people, whose Ambassador
was present as the dean of the diplo-
matte corps. and by the absence of
the representatives of the Emperor
of China, who is wearing a badge of
mourning for the late Emperor and
nowager Empress of his country.
The first greetings of the day were
| extended to the President and Mrs.
| Roosevelt by the Vice-President.
members of the Cabinet and their
ladies. These Fluctuations were ex-
changed in the private rooms on the
second floor of the Mansion.
| When the Presidential party was
| gathering above there was another
assemblage in the State dining-room
on the first floor. There, in the pre-
scribed attire of their respective
courts were the diplomatic represe1,-
tatives. The central figure in this
company was Paron Edmondo Mayor
des Planches, the Italian Ambassa-
dor.
When at the head of the line OF
diplomats he passed into the Blue
Room, President Roosevelt shook his
hand and assured him of the sincere
sympathy of the American people fol-
his stricken countrymen. The mourn
ing which kept Special Ambassador
Tong away, prevented WI Ting
Fang. the Chinese Minister, from at
tending.
The descent of the Presidential
Iparty from the private rooms to the
Blue Room was one of the most pic
turesque features of the day AS the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt start
ed up the staircase, followed by 9th
ers of the receiving party, a flare o.
trumpets resOunded throughout the
Mansion. The Marine Band, in bril-
liant scarlet uniforms, was stationed
in the stately hall. The strains O.
''Hail to the Chief greeted the
President as he reached the mair
floor and turned to enter the Blue
Room. The announcement of The
callers was made to the President BY
Col Charles S. Brownwell, U. S. A.
and to Mrs. Roosevelt by Captain A
w. Butt, military aide to the Presi
dent
Chief Justice Fuller and the Asso
ciate Justices of the Supreme Cour
of the United States led the entire
judiciary present, after which came
Senators and Representatives in Con
gress.
Brig.-General J. Franklin Bell
chief of the staff, led the army, which
was very fully represented, all of thu
officers being in full dress uniform
The Navy also was well represented
The officials of the Government
representing all important bureau
of the various departments, were fol
lowed by representatives of various
patriotic societies, which had beer
given places of honor in the line.
Mrs. Fairbanks and ladies of tn
Cabinet circle assisted Mrs. Roose
Welt large number of ladies wer
invited to the Blue Room.
The President enthusiastically
greeted the public and not singh
New Year wish was extended to hin
that was not returned. He especial
ly welcomed a group of Quakeresses
| who aOnaared in their tidy cans AM
gowns.
The exact number attending the re
ception was announced by the auto
matte counter to have been 6,O53.