Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-05-25
President Lincoln'sFirst Leyee.

Nlght near the door stood the Presi.
dent, his tall form towering fer above
the crowd, his head bowling continually,
his hand working uninterruptedly, and
a happy genial smile playing good-na-
turedly about his mouth. He was
dressed in plain black suit-frock
coat, vest and trowsers-a wide turn
over collar and white gloves. At the
average Of twenty-five q minute he
shook hands, and exchanged greetings
with his visitors. Occasionally some
old gentleman would endeavor to stop
and have social chat about good old
times, but the pushing crowd behind
him would come up with such irresist-
able force that like a wad from pop
gun, he was thrust out by succeeding
aspirants for the Presidential digits.
MIR. Lincoln looked well. His color
was good, his face but slightly flushed,
and his demeanor digniied and calm.
Certainly his powers Of endurance are
very great. for although it was an
nounced that at 10 o'clock he would
retire, he kindly held on until nearly
II, by which time he must have shaken
hands with over 5000 people. He was
very highly gratified with the success
that attended the affair, and expressed
himself to that effect several times dur
ing the evening and subsequently.
Mrs. Lincoln was sought, of course,
first of all. She stood near her hus-
band, with dignity and case. Selfpos-
session, under such circumstances, one
would not naturally expect, but it was
there. Had the mistress of the White
House been born and bred at Washing
ton, accustomed from childhood TO the
surroundings of the most prominent
positions, she could nothave exhibited,
outwarlly, less anxiety. less cmbarass-
mcnt, or more entire savoir .taire. Do
not misunderstood me. Mrs. Lincoln
has three characteristics, which, when
given to an American woman, will sus-
tain her under any circumstances, and
enable her to bear up under any pres
sure. They are common sense, self
confidence and tact; all of which, to a
remarkable extent, are hers. In addi-
ton to these, she has natural pleasing
manner, an open heart, and working
brain. Her dress will commend itself
to all who admire simple elegance.
She wore very rich and becoming
crimson watcred silk, with pearl orna-
ments, very elegant point lace cap
and trimmings, with head dress of nat
ural camelas interspcrsed with simple
pearls. l take pleasure in recollecting
the fact that Mrs. Lincoln is eminently
qualified for her position; that she has
commenced we'll; has produced in the
most captious favorable impression,
and will show to her countrywomen,
and to Washington society in particu-
lar, that she can, rs did Mrs. Polk,
adorn as we'll as sustain the responsible
place which she has been called to fill.
Little Douglas, who is playing the
deepest kind ola game for the Union
ticket of 1864, was there in all his glory.
Here one minute, there the next-now
congratulating tho President, then COM
plimcnting Mrs. Lincoln-bowing and
scraping, shaking hands and smiling,
laughing, yawning, and saluting the
the crowd of people who knew him, he
was a pleasant sight to behold. He de-
serves credit, if he is little selfish
(who is noty He has already done a
great deal OF good to the administration,
by setting a good example to his follow
crs.
Such q acrowd, such jam, such along,
long procession of people, declare it
was really amazing. From all sections
of the land, and from. oil lands on the
face of the earth did people gather. At
ter the hand shaking. each couple
would pass from the Blue room into
the East room, and there, after a pro-
tractcd delay, promenade was gotten
up, while the Marine Band furnished
very inspiring music.
Never before was there such levee.
The rush was fearful, the pressure was
tremendous, but the order was perfect,
and the arrangements for the disposal!
of 90 large q number Of visitors could
in no way have been bettered, Mr..
and Mrs. Lincoln sustained the fatigues
of the day with remarkable ease, and
with no evil results, aud we congratu-
late alike them and our country, that
the first reception given by the occu-
pants of the White House was 90 emil
,ently popular, successful, and COM
plete in every essential particular.-Ar'
THos. III. BENroN.-Thoe. H. Ben
ton-"the noblest Roman Of them all
said one time in burst Of oratorical
frenzy, that if the American Union
went down. and the last hope of man