The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1911-06-22
PRESIDENTS SILVER WEDDING


Guests Present - President and
Irs. Taft Receive Many Handsome
Presents.
Washington. June 1.-THE silver
wedding celebration Of President and
Mrs. Taft. the second that has been
held in the White House, came TO an
end tonight with the reception on
the White House lawn. Invitations
had been sent 10 close 10 10000 per-
sons and It was estimated that at
least 5000 were present
Never in the history OF the nation
probably has such a function been
held In Washington. The diplomatic
corps. the United States Supreme
Court. the Senate and the House OF
Representatives, the departments OF
the government. the men who are
high in political affairs OF the coun-
try, the army. the navy and every
walk in life almost were represented.
The cool. clear night that made a
reception in the open air possible pre-
vented the crush that the White
House for days has been afraid OF
and made the reception not only brill
liant and unusual but delightful in
every respect.
The guests would have filled the
White House TO overlooking, but the
White House grounds are ample and
there was no crush and no confusion.
Possibly $1,000 people crowded
about the iron fence that surrounds
the grounds and looked longingly at
the electric display. the splashing
fountain and the gay throng within.
The cards said that the reception
would be gin at O'Clock. Promptly
on the hours, TO the strains Of the
wedding march, the President and
Mrs Taft came slowly down the
main staircase Of the White House.
preceded by the six presidential aides
and followed by the Cabinet. Out
through the red room to the rear por-
tico Of the mansion, down the broad
steps and out onto the lawn the pro-
cession marched while hundreds of
guests already in the grounds watch
ed their progress. They took their
stand beneath two trees just about
the center of the lawn, whose
branches were joined by an electri
sign flashing "1886-1911."
The guests entered from the east
front, passed through the corridors
beneath the White House and out to
the lawn. Down the winding walk
they passed in two lines to where the
President, his face wreathed in
smiles, was waiting to meet them all.
Above the walks the electricians had
touched the trees with magic and
they blazed in red and white and blue
bulbs. From the top Of the Treasury
a monster searchlight played upon a
new American flag upon the summit
of the mansion. Over the rear por-
tico another flag in red, white and
blue incandescent lamps shimmered
and waved.
The fountain in the center of the
grounds, played upon by another
searchIight, sprinkled forth all the
hues of the rainbow.
Down near the fountain the ma
rine band in scarlet coats played with
vigor and in the White House itself
the engineer band wed with them.
The reception was just as informal
as the President could make it. The
presents that numbered in the hun
dreds and whose money value ran
high into the thousands attracted
many, while others turned to the east
room, whose polished floor echoed to
the tread of the dancers.
Preparation had been made for
five thousand guests and the refresh
ment tables in the State dining-room
came as near grooming as a perfectly
good table can come. The President
and the members Of his family, with
the Cabinet and the aides, were serv-
ed on the east terrace, but the guests
found their refreshments in the State
dining room.
Mrs Taft wore a gown of white
satin, brocaded, with silver flowers,
with court train. Mrs. Helen Taft,
who was near at hand, wore a gown
of pink satin, with tunic of pink
chiffon.
Congratulations From Abroad.
Congratulatory cablegrams from
many of the rulers of the world pour
ed in to the White House to-day, in
Guiding, among others, messages
from the emperor of Germany, the
President of France, Emperor Mutsu-
nito of Japan, the Emperor Of China,
King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, King
Alfonso Of Spain, King Gustaf of
Sweden and President Arosemena Of
Panama.
British Ambassador Bryce called at
the White House to personally ex-
press the congratulations of the King
and Queen of England.
Japan Will Send Her Overflow POpu-
IatiOn to PHILIPPINES.