The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

The Silver Wedding of President and Mrs. Hayes New Year's Eve.

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 31.—On December 30, 1852, at No. 141 Sixth street, in Cincinnati, Rutherford B. Hayes and Lucy Ware Webb were united in marriage by Professor L. D. McCabe, of the Ohio Wesleyan University. To-night the interesting event of twenty-five years ago was appropriately celebrated at the White House. Nature gave to the occasion all the agreeable accessories of twinkling silver stars, the pale silver moon, and had the Silver Bill passed both Houses prior to the holiday recess, and received the attesting signature of the President, the occasion would have been indeed complete.

When the President and Mrs. Hayes concluded to celebrate in an appropriate dinner the quarter-stretch, as it were, in the century of married life, it was the desire of the excellent mistress of the White House that it should be without showy ostentation. It was the desire of both too, that, so near as they could make it, the anniversary should recall the scenes of the most notable incident in the life of both. Accordingly, all those living who were then present, in addition to near personal friends of the family, were invited. The invitations were limited to about one hundred. They are written on note paper and read:

"Mrs. Hayes and I celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of our wedding December 31, 1877, at nine o'clock."

This much was written by one of the President's Secretaries, and afterwards the President personally addressed each invitation, adding: "I hope you will be present. Sincerely yours, R. B. Hayes."

Long before the hour of nine every room in the Executive Mansion was in a blaze of light. The Red, Blue, Green and East Rooms were thrown open for the guests. Each was decorated with smilax, ferns, pot-plants and all the rare exotics which the White House Conservatory and Botanical Garden could furnish.

The guests began arriving on time, and were received in the East Room by the President and Mrs. Hayes. On the right of the President stood Rev. L. D. McCabe, who married him twenty-five years ago, Mrs. J. S. Mitchell, of Columbus, Ohio who stood up with Mrs. Hayes, clasping her hand at the marriage ceremony, was at the left of Mrs. Hayes to-night, and did the honors in a most becoming manner.

From nine until half-past ten o'clock the time was spent in social chat. Never within the history, perhaps, of the White House was a more agreeable company assembled within its walls. It was a re-union of old friends—those that can be relied upon to stand by. During the reception of the guests the Marine Band which was stationed in the vestibule leading to the East Room, played a series of lively wedding marches.

There were but few presents; among the most conspicuous was a silver log cabin, presented by the ex-members of the Twenty-third Ohio Regiment. Among the guests were all the survivors of those who were present at the marriage, in Cincinnati, December 30, 1852. The lawyers who practiced in Cincinnati between 1850 and 1860, at which time the President was in practice there, were also invited, but few of them were present. Chief Justice Waite and Associate Justice Swayne are among those who were then noted lawyers in Ohio. They were present this evening, with their wives. Commissioner Dennison and family were old friends in Columbus, and were present.

The President attended Mrs. Dahlgren's first wedding, when she married Mr. Goddard, of Ohio, so she was invited. Judge Warden, who tried the President's first two cases, was present, and also Senator Thurman and Colonel Don Piatt, who were Judges of the Superior Court of Cincinnati, in which the President's first cases were tried. The President's college mates at Kenyon College, and his old army friends, especially those of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers, were in attendance. The only officials present were the members of the Cabinet and their families, and the Vice President.

Mrs. John W. Herron and Dr. and Mrs. John Davis, of Cincinnati. The two gentlemen attended the wedding twenty-five years ago, as also did the President's Secretary, Mr. Rogers. Mrs. Wilbur, who was the principal of the Seminary at which Mrs. Hayes graduated, was an honored guest. Colonel L. C. Weir, of Cincinnati, and Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Deshler, of Columbus, were among the guests.

Mrs. Hayes wore a becoming dress of white satin. It was made of the dress which she wore on her wedding night, its ample folds having been found abundant to admit of its being refitted. The guests enjoyed a banquet in the State Dining room. The menu comprised all the seasonable and delicate solids of the season but the liquids were confined to tea, coffee, lemonade and ice-water.