The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-13
From the Christian Messenger.
The First Ball at the White House


The first ball at the White House, so the
country are informed, came off at Washing
ton on wednesday evening Of last week. The
entire number of distinguished gents is re-
ported to have been about five hundred. We
are told that this ball was spirited device OF
Mrs. Lincoln to outshine the brilliant So
ciety and gaycty of Richmond, and exhibit
court that will cast in the shade that OF
their bogus president
Influenced by these considerations, the re-
ception rooms of the White House were bril-.
liantly illuminated, and at nine o'clock the
distinguished guests began to arrive. Mrs.
Lincoln received the company with graceful
courtesy. She was dressed in magnificent
width satin robe
About twelve o'clock the supper.room was
thrown open. and exhibited one of the finest
displays of gsstronomic art ever seen in this
country a temple Of liberty, fort and war
steamer, admirably moulded in candy, and a
ton of turkeys, ducks, venison, phcasants,
partridges &C., all exquisitely prepared by
Mailard of New York at Il cost Of thousands
of dollars.
1t pains US to read that the first bail at
the mansion OF our president should be held
at such period as this in our national his
tory We are rapidly approaching crisis
and darker cloud never threw its porten-
tious shadows over us, since the organization
of our government It is cloud not to be
dissi pated by music and dancing. Fasting
and prayer would be much more appropriate
at such Il period as this. The finances OF the
country are embarrassed. We are told that
our treasury is reduced to the last dollar
that we must submit to heavy taxations, and
that the most rigid economy should be exer.
cised by all, under such circumstances we re-
gard it as unfortunate that the presidential
mansion should be the scene of extravaganza
and display. Thousands were wasted in the
brilliant exhibitions OF a courtly ball.
While those scenes were being enacted at
Washington our country was bleeding. That
same nigh; the hunted Unionist in our bloody
border-land stole in secret from his den, and,
aided by the gimmering moonlight, looked
once more upon the ashes Of what was once
his happy home. That same night wounded
volunteers died in the hospitals for want of
and comfort, and our modest sons and brothers
pinned in the ioathsome horrors Of southern
prison, and sighed hopelossly for release ;
while on our western frontiers, the houseless
mother clasped her starving babe and the
prairie wolf guawed ravenously the bones of
the loyal dead That same night many fer.
vent prayers were offered to God for pardon
and mercy for our distressed and imperiled
country, and imploring looks were cast tow.
ards the capitol, hoping that its assembled
wisdom, and duly invested authority might
introduce some active and efficient measures
to give relief and prosperity to the nation.
And now we hear that something has been
accompli> hed-they have had splendid ball
at the White House 1t is certainly no
time for mirth Or among those who in this
great country now bear the pillars of state.
A crushing weight Of responsibility is resting
upon them and may God help them faithfully
to discharge the momeutous duties OF this
hour.