Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-26
From the Detroit Tribune
LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
Laay,s FIrst Day at tho Prssidenus.

a LAdy's First Day at the Presidents.
WAsniNdros, February 8, 1864 Saturday.
are public reception days OF the White House,
From eleven till three O'Clock all who choose can
20 and pay their respects to the President and
bis lady, pass through the rooms and conservA-
tories, and 30 their ways again
One mile west Of the Capitol, directly through
the heart Of the city, stands the Presidential
mansion. II is Saturday, the 9th Of February,
a chilly, cloudy day, with lowering sky threat
eniDg rain but let us 30. Standing OF the
Seventh street crossing We turn our faces to the
west, up Pennsylvania avenue Look q moment;
does il seem possible that we can ever work our
way through that tbrouginR, crowding mass,
pouring down the broad pavement in one inces
sant streami You say no, and look toward the
street cars passing each way svery two or three
minutes; but they are full too-orowded to suf-
location the sidewalk will be better there, at
least one may breathe more Of Heavens breath
than Of his neighbours.
We are on the fashionable, north side of the
avenue hut glance across the other side Is
nearly as crowded as this, and all the broad
space between is thtonged with double lines Of
heavy army wagons drawn by four or six mules
each, and seemingly endless in each direction I;
squads and companies of cavalry are passing,
some one way, and some another state and
private carriages, srattug hacks, omnibuses,
seem mixed up in ine1tricabe confusion the
noise is deafenng aud the ground trembies but
everybody 10 hurrying on let us pass too, il
pass we msy.
Soldiers are here too, in companies and singly,
In every style of uniform, aud most uniformly
gathered in knots and platoons about the hotel
and restaurant doors. Here, tearing along
through the crowd, came thirty or forty little
negro boot blacks, following the rating music
Of ha a,N pt,, bna ms,
cruita for some low theatre tonight aud here
are elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, aud
young misses and children, With their jaunty
hats and SNOWY Gcarlet plnmes- crowds of every
body, going and coming, and standing at corners,
aud gathered about the show windows OF the
stores and shops. We press on, following close
upon the train OF these rustling silks that sweep
across and dip into the filthy crossing, and draw
little waving lines Of wet through the dust from
back yards and alley ways. These silks are
going to the Presidents.
Ah, now the way is up hill and growing tire
some. We are passing Wizards, and rounding
the corner Of the Treasury, that immtnse marble
oandle-cup, whose recesses we hope TO explore
some day, and explain to the public how that
wonderful "pap" is made on which SO nauy
Government pets get fat. Now the silks have
taken themselves into the cars. We go north
past the Treasury and its grounds, and then
turn again to the west. All around this square,
on either side OF the pavement, is plasered with
sticky mud some inches deep; but passing this
we come in front Of the Presidents grounds, aud
find ourselves on broad dry granite flagslones,
clean and white. The avenue here runs east and
west again, and the White House is on the south
side some little distrance from it. Between the
house and the street is semi-circular park
planted with eyergreens and other trees, aud
having bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson in
the centre. Around this little park sweeps the
broad graveled carriage drive, bordered on the
outer side by the wide granite foot. walk, and
passing directly under the deep coOred porch of
the mansion. The park and drive are surround
ed and protected by high iron palings Iron
gates lead into the drive aud walk, which are
nearly always open.
To day guards armed with swords, mounted on
handsome black horses, sit facing each other just
within tho gates at each end Of the drive, and
and two more are stationed directly in front Of
the house. Between these guards the carriages
freighted with their brocades and velvets and
plumes make their entrance aud exit. Foot
guards are at all times pacing up and down the
pavement before the house.
Let US 60 up ibe steps and enter the open
doors. Here is mother plainly dressed, lead
ing her little boy of ten, to whom she is telling
the story of Abraham Lincoln's youth. 10 the
Vestibule waiter stands, motioniDg with his
hand the way for visitors to go. The mother
and child puss on we follow. There is no
crowd, nobody going in just nov but us. Just
inside the door OF the b.ue room Atands the Pre-
sident between two young men, and plump,
round-faced, smiling man stands opposite him.
Between these the mother leads her boy. The
President takes her hand in one of his places the
other on the boys brown curlF, says some kindly
words to both, and then passes on.
The same hand lakes niue, the eyes look down
as kindly he bows low and says, "How do you
do" in tone that seems to demand friendly
reply. But no reply comes. My heart is on my
lips, but there is no shape or sound of words
In one glance at the worn yet kindly face, read
q history that crushes all power Of speech, aud
before am iairly conscious that | have touched
the hand and looked into the eyes OF our honored
Father Abraham. find myself on the opposite of
the room Doubtless if he had thought about
me it was what stupid creature who does
not know enough TO give name or answer a
civil question:"
Six months had been in Washington without
seeing the President. Six months of anxious
waiting fo.- friends whose long promised "some
day" never aesmed 10 draw any nearer, till at
last, tired of patience aud friends together, |
went alone. And that was the way met him.
I, who had honored him from the first moment
he put his hand so frioly to the helm of our
ship of State, to steer her through the perilous
sea of blood and strife !, who could have kneli
to touch the hand that first swept the curse from
the nations capital, and then proclaimed free
dom to all, in the name Of God and Of humanity
the child of State 80 loyal and true to heI
very hearts core that her veteran troops, almos
TO a man, have re pledged themselves to stand
by him till the fiery ordeal is past; /, who hat
sung for him, knowing he had not time to sing
for himself, aud had onged for the day to CONT
when might epeak to him as we'll as for him
that was the way did it.
Ii is late, for il has taken at least two hours
Walking on the streets, to say nothing of numer
Ou . advances and retreats up and down the sweel
of the semrci circle, 10 get resolution up 10 th
poin OF accomplishing even this. There is bu
time 70 glance about us and then retire with III
already departing crowd.
The blue room is a circular apartment ma
pered, dra ped aud furnished with the color ffor
which il lakes its name. In the centre. unde
the massive chandelier, is a white marble table
supporting vase Of rare flowers and beside
stands Mrs. Lincoln, now in animated converse
tion with the ladies and gentlemen gathere
about her. We need not speak TO hsr-she wi
never know We have been in tue room--man
others come in the same way, ouly to look al
go. Another time we shall have confidence
pay her the respect due to her station.
1t is general remark that Mrs, Lincoln,
her receptions and parties, is always dressed wit
the most perfect taste-alwBys richly aud ele
gantly, and never oyer-dressed. To-day she va
robed in purple velvet; she wears postillio
basque, waist or body Of The same, made high
H. ~ 1 -