The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-06-24
Consolidated Aug. 2. 1881.
CROWDS THROnG WHITE HOUSE
SILVER WEDDING CELEBRATION
BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
PROBABLY Five Thousand Invited
Guests Attend Gorgeous Reception
And Extend Congratulations 20
President and Mrs. Taft.


Washington. June 19.--The silver
wedding celebration of the President
and Mrs. Taft the second that has
neen held in the White House. came
N an end tonight with the reception
on the White House lawn. Invitations
had been sent 10 nearly $4,000 per-
sons and II was estimated that at
least 5000 persons were present.
Never I'm the history OF the nation,
!, probably. has there been such a rep
reSentation of the various depart
ments of the Government at the
White House. Hundreds Of repre-
sentstives of the army and navy were
; present and their brilliant uniforms
rave a splendid touch of color to the
scene. About 1900 people crowded
about the iron fence that surrounded
the grounds and looked longingly at
Abe display. Washington tonight
4 showed Its interest In the anniversary
of the President In unmistakable
fashion.
Promptly at . O'Clock, to the strains
OF the Wedding March. the President
and Mrs Taft came slowly down the
staircase. preceded by the six Presi-
dental aides and followed by the
Cabinet. They walked slowly out on
~the lawn. The. took their stand be-
meath two tres. whose branches were
Joined together by electric lights
nashing "1sss-1s11."
The guests passed through the cor
ridors OF the north wing Of the White
House onto the lawn. Down the
winding walk they passed In two lines
20 where the President. his face
wreafhed In smiles. was waiting to
meet them. Above the walks the
electricians had filled the trees with
. disslay OF magic and thousands OF
red. white and blue lights twinkied.
/. Z. Over the rear portion of the White
House. another flag In red. white and
blue light shimmered and waved.
The fountain In the centre OF the
grounds. played upon by a search
HIGHT sprinkled forth all coiors,
brought into relief by thousands Of
lights. stood out SHARPLY against the
sky.
The White House lawn resembied a
carpet OF soft green. over which
lightly stepped the gayly clad women
and men. The Marine Band played
with vigor and in the White House
, the Engineer Band We'd with them.
Every corner OF the mansion had its
particular light
The reception was just as informal
as the President could make IL. Those
who could waited In line for hours TO
shake hands. but many slipped out
OF the line and sought the sidewalks.
Many turned TO the East Wing. Pre-
paration had been made for 5000
guests and the sun. ptuous luncheon
was served TO thousands In the State
dining room.
Mrs. Taft remained by The Presi-
dents side I'm the receiving line all
the evening. She wore a gown OF
white satin. brocaded with silver
flowers. with Court train.
Miss Helen Taft. who was near at
hand. wore a gown OF pink satin with
tunic OF pink chiffon.
In spite OF the unusual crowd. the
machinery had been 40 perfected that
everything worked smoothly. The
automobiles. under the watchful eye
OF the police. deposited their occu-
pants. half dozen at a time. The
police arrangements were splendid.
and intruders found access to the
} ground very difficult. More than 100
policemen in uniform were on guard
around the fence and the usual plain
clothes men and secret service men
were within the grounds.
Nine o'clock had been named for
the beginning OF the reception. but
no hour had been set for the ending
until tho Marine Band played Home,
Sweet Home" as the last dancers
swept on the floor of the East Room
and the President felt that ne could
retire.