The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-21
PRICE ONE CENT.
GAY and Festive Doiugs ut " ashing tom.
What the People Think.

W Hat thc HfVptc
Washington CORES pondent OF the New
York Express gives narrative of the griev-
ances and privatious of the Federal troops in
.hat city, and the growing discon tent and dis
.atisfaction among them. The writer, in con-
ciusion. pays his pects to the President and
bis family thus
The President ia first responsible for the
fashionable display by his family, that formed
an example for Others and invite, almost con-
strain, CORES pon3ent responsive returns In
u day Of mourning like this, when the people
of the land are in sackcloth, millions groaRing
in want, aud thousands upon thou ueands in
sadness because the light OF their eyes have
been called from them into this war, herein,
by & conflict, possible at any time, they may
De extinguished, how Unbeconing does II seem
for Mrs. President Lincoln to be daily dashing
through the lines OF soldiers upon the Avenue,
with her driver and position in livery, in 4
glaringly labelled carriage, 10 denote who is
the passer; and, as IT. in q time Tor fashion
and dress shopping by the way But the
dress reception At the White House OF the
evening WAS worse, ltwas strange that such
an official festival could have been thought OF
| And then, as though all were peace and hap
i piness round about, as il there was nobody
! hurt, how gay was 1t, and what display
| That the effect of such things s Inischie-
| vous must be apparent. How must they take
| heart ont OF those who, having surrendered
| 10 the President, 10 be usei by hinl In this
| war, for the cake of the Government of oUr
fathers, their Seriest darlings so TO find their
| great sacrifices apparently not weighing at all
| upoL him "A mothers letter, which have
| seen, Whose jrst-born son has committed his
| fortunes 10 the war, runs upon this subject as
| follows;
| ''Oh this war How sad and heavy hearted
| Is every one Aud vet the President has a
| reception, and Mrs. Lincoln figures IN dress
| Why should her brocade and pearls, even il
! worn, be mentioned .? Was it 10 torture the
| many who have had 10 part with everythtn
| by reason OF the UIGtrpSJtUi condition n N
| which sectional parties have brought ns -
Far filter Is it, in my view, in THIS our day of
| humiliation, for us 10 wear sackcioth and be
IN ashes, than to he deckpd In pearls and bro
cade. IL would show better, truer spirit
| Why not our chiefs lay aside all fashion, all
| festivities all dress, all parade, aud seem to
realize the crisis, all with which the hours
| ara charged, aud so be TO us. TO all, IN exam
| pie, that shall inspire respect and confidence,
and force from the millions the promise Of co.
| operation, whatever may betide, where thou
| gofst VIII go. So ito we feel here, that we
canrot bear To put on head-dress Even the
gaiety OF flowers mocks. and Emusic has nc
| charms "
| What viii this mother say, when she shall
learn that Mr. Secretary Seward follows NJ
what WAS begun by the President, and gives 9
grand party this Tuesday) evening? Anc
what other mothers-yea, and fathers, tco?-
| what II spectacle will that be, to angels rs
| we'll rs men--that feasting, " hen those who
VIII be participants in il, know tnll we'll the
sudden, as at the feast OF BclshaZzar. TN.
scene HitJ pe chdhFtu, and tnft tHe sun OF 10
morrow may risa upon people who, for the
manner III which they shall be stricken. will
see II only through tears,
| did not want TO write thus. | would have
omitted 10 DO So could my seuse of duty have
permitted II. But seeing how the faults, or
! foiiles, Il II better please, which / have no
iced, are working upon soldiers and people
| that many, very many, are "hurt' thereby
seqnel 10 the foregoing may be found in
Mrs. Lincoln's recent .ojourn at New York
where she purchased most magnificent orna.
Inents for the White House and vast guam
tty CT finery for her own person.