The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1911-06-22
IAtI'S SILVER
WEDDING DAY
Five Thousand Greet the
President and His Wife
An INFORMAL RECEPTION

Lawn, While Fifteen Thousand
Persons Outside Fences Look On
Beautiful Electrical Effects and
Dancing to Charm Participants
Washington, June 20 The celo-
hfation of the silver wedding ot
President and Mrs. Taft came TO end
last night with the reception on the
White House lawn,
Invitations had been sent to clone
10 ~ 900 persons, aud while the Off
cial count OF those who shook hands
with the president was not glvon out,
II is estimated that at least 5000 per-
sons were there.
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 country,
the army, the navy--eyery walk In
life almost, was represented.
The cool, clear night, which made
reception In the open air possible,
prevented the crush which the White
House for days had been afraid of,
and made the reception not only bril-
liant and unusual. but delightful In
every respect.
Probably is 600 people crowded
about the iron fence that surrounds
the grounds and looked longingly at
the electric fountain play. the splash
Ing fountain and the gay throng with
in
The cards said that the reception
would begin at . o'clock, and prompt
ly on the hour, to the strains OF the
wedding march, President and Mrs.
Taft came slowly down the staircase
OF the White House, preceded by the
six presidential aids and followed by
the cabinet.
Out through the red room to the
rear portico OF the mansion down the
broad steps and out onto the lawn
the procession marched. while hun
dreds OF guests already In the grounds
watched their progress, They took
their stand beneath two trees just
about the centre OF the lawn, whose
branches were Joined by an electric
sign flashing "lSS6-lslI"
! 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. white and blue bulbs.
From the top OF the treasury mons
ter searchlight played upon n new
American flag upon the summit Of the
mansion over the rear portleO an
other nag in red white and blue In
candescent lamps, shimmered and
waved.
The fountain In the centre OF the
grounds, played upon by another
searchlieht, sprinkled all hues Of the
rainbow Down near the fountain the
Marine band played with yigor ana
in the White House itself the Army
Engineer band WED with them~~~
Every corner OF the mansion had It's
own particular light. On the ter
races which extend from the old man
sion eastward and westward the
beauty OF the White House conserva-
tories had been poured The tai
lamps that stand along the borders OF
these terraces had been shaded by
deep red paper, resembling nothing 80
much as monster poppies
The reception was just as informal
as the president could make II
Those who could waited In line for
hours TO shake his hand, but many
slipped out OF the line and sought the
shaded walks, the chairs waiting on
the grass or wandered at Will through
the lower floors of the mansion The
presents, which numbered hundreds
and cost thousands, attracted many,
while Others turnet-vo the east room,
whose polished floors echoed TO the
| tread OF the dancers.
Preparation had been made for 5000
| guests and the refresbment tables ~
/ the state dining room came as near 70
groaning as a good table can come
Mrs. TAFT surprised even thoae fa-
millar with the Improvement IN health
that she has shown by remaining ny
the presidents side IN the receiving
line all the evening She wore
gown Of white satin. hrocaded Win
silver flowers, with a court train
Miss Helen Taft, who was near a.
hand, wore a gown of,pink satin with
. tunic Of pink chiffon.
Despite the unusual crowd every
detail worked out smoothly Nine
4 o'clock had been get for The recep-
ton 10 begin, but no Time had been
fixed for the end of the festivities u
was therefore after midnight thai he
Y Engineer band struck up Home
sweet Home the last Of the dancers
/ sgept out on the floor Of the east room
and the president felt that be sonid
retire.