Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-06-20
PRESIDENT AND MRS. TAFT
SILVER WEDDING!
Notable Event---Universal Congratu-
Iations. White House Grounds
Turned into a Fairyland---
Brilliant Scene.

The great reception on the hlte
House grounds, planned as the prin-
cipal feature of the public observarces
Of the silver wedding OF President aud
Mrs. TAFT began shortly after .. P. m.
To the vast number OF electric bulbs
in the trees, the cxotics and the bushes
was united the glare Of big sealchl'ghts
from the Washington Monument and
other high places.
The most striking feature OF .he IL
Illumination was The Star-Spang'ed
Banner" 10 colots.
1t is estimated that not less than
{. 900 persons entered the grounds as
Invited guests, while throng luclud.
lug many more thousands looked
through the iron railing at the radiance
within.
The display Of gowns was one OF the
most impressive ever seen.
The stream OF automobiles and car
riages, conveying the guests seemed
endless.
Numerous costly gifts were presented
by Congress, by members OF the Cab
met, by Justice OF the Supreme Court,
by high army aud navy dignItatses,
by states. by cities and by personal
friends.
Rulers OF great nations all over the
gcrld sent congratulations.
The scene on the lawn OF the White
House was brilliant one. The l'resl'
dent and Mrs TAFT. started 10 receive
the guests at 8 O'Clock. After the
more important personases had passed
the chief executive and his wife, Mrs.
Taft retired aud her daughter, Miss
Helen Taft dropped Into the line and
took her place. Then, while two
bands continuously rendered catchy
airs, the long line wondered It's way
past the nations head, each one grasp.
ing his hand and expressing word OF
creating. ;,
The Taft smile was there in ali its
glory. The stage setting vas app:opr-
ate and brilliant and lent much color
TO the panorama OF iridescent uni
forms duu CO>tuitlcS Nc'a y 'hS
diplomats and the ladies.
President Taft had crowded q good
deal OF happiness into ths day before
the ciu,ax came in tho big reception
in the evening. The celebration began
Tor hum when he appeared at the
breakfast table in the morning, sur
rounded by the big house party OF
kiniolks-;he Tafts, the Torrcys and
the Herrons. The president was
hardly up from his morning meal
before Secretary HiIles began to shower
npon him messages Of congratulation
chat had been pouring into the ex-
cutive officts from the kings and
rulcrs OF the world. Several Of The
foreign poteptates sent their pcr-onal
representatives to the White ll"usc
TO extend Fluctuations to the President
and Mrs. TAFT.
Onc OF the first visitors to be pre-
nted vas Monsignor Falconio, the
Paral delegate to this Country. He
.alled under instructions OF Pope Plus
X and conveyed the best wishes of
the pontiff to the President aud Mrs.
taft. After Mgr. Frlco1io came Am
b,ssador Bryce, Of Great Brain, who
had been requested i'y King George
and Queen Mary, OF England, TO Offer
their congratulations and best wishes.
The presents we're numerous. Coy
e.uor Mann. Of Virginia sent five
silver vases; Mrs. Fcancls Barger Moran
Of Charlottesville, Va, aud her dau-
glitter, Mrs. Hudgins, a pair OF large
silver picture frames, ard r : Rabbi
P. W. Jacobs, OF Jacksonville, Fla
gave a silver pitcher and tray. This
gilt came from the Jews of Jackson
Vile.