White House gossip : $b from Andrew Johnson to Calvin CoolidgeColman, Edna M. (Edna Mary)
History
White House gossip : $b from Andrew Johnson to Calvin Coolidge
Colman, Edna M. (Edna Mary)
Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Washington (D.C.) -- Social life and customs; White House (Washington, D.C.)
No procession in any part of our broad land is at all like an inaugural
parade. The appearances of the new incumbent of the White House before
and after taking the oath call forth incidents, episodes, comments,
complimentary and critical, of a type wholly American. Thus, the crowd
whiles away the hours between the ride to the Capitol and the return
to the White House. The journey to the ceremony of swearing in the
President-elect is usually made in company with the retiring head of
the nation, and is often a divided honour, tinged with the regret
of parting with the man who has filled the place for four years.
Coming back, the new leader fills the picture. All triumphant, he
belongs to the people, and demonstrations carry the note of jubilation
grateful to the ear. Many amusing things happen in a good-natured
celebration, and human nature unrestrained effervesces and bubbles
over the rim of everyday restraint. One sees and hears the flamboyant
individuals--always in evidence--who knew the new President in every
stage of his life and career.
Among the many amusing features of the Cleveland parade was the arrival
of President Cleveland’s baggage. The crowd patiently waiting in the
covered stand across from the White House found great entertainment
in watching the open wagon piled high with shabby and travel-scarred
trunks, all marked “G.C.” in large white letters, which turned in at
the White House gates. The large white letters and the destination sent
the crowd into shouts of laughter at “Grover’s moving in!” The crowning
feature was a huge bent-wood armchair, large enough for three ordinary
men, which topped the load. This was the first of the thousands of
gifts sent to Mr. Cleveland by admirers and favour-seeking citizens.
One of the charming stories of Grover Cleveland illustrates his great
love and understanding of children. After his election in 1884, while
in Kenwood, he requested that the children attending the Convent of
the Sacred Heart be given a holiday on his Inauguration Day. In spite
of all of the demands upon his time and attention in departing for
Washington, he did not forget the matter, but on March 2d sent a check
for fifty dollars to provide a celebration. With it he sent a note to
the Mother Superior.
Albany, Mar. 2, 1885.
DEAR MOTHER O’RORKE:
I send by my good friend Mr. McCall something which I hope will cause
the little ones at the Convent to know that, while they are thinking
of me, they are not forgotten by the man who in the midst of their
holiday is undergoing the most perplexing ordeal that his life can
bring to him.
With many kind thoughts of you and all of the good people, I am,
Yours faithfully,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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