White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1865-03-16

uiSs VII Seu w ueuOefS U tuc Saoiuct, &C
they are anxious to be rid of the Secretary.
1t was in Cabinet meeting-the question
under advisement. was the uncertain and
delicate state of relations between this
country and France. concerning Mexico
and the South. and the necessity for ap.
pointing the most able and sagacions man
as Minister to the French Court. Seward
suggested that the esteemed Secretary oi
the Navy. 10 his opinion. would be the
very man 10 pour oil UPON the troubled
waters. "Ah" replied the President.
''then truly we would make fortunate
strike. it he proved to be oil Welles p
But the Secretary got even with him, q
few minutes later. The President remark
ed thst he was in favor of abandoning
the dilly-dallying and coaxing policy.
and proposed to be out-spoken and plain
with France. "Yes." rejoiusd Wells.
"history tells us that the Freueh sue
cumbed at the Plain Of Abraham r.
While upon the subject the Presidents
jokes. let me relate one more. You have
doubtless read the gossip concerning the
contemplated marriage between Speaker
Colfax snd Mrs. Douglas. The lady
was very much annoyed at this gossip at
her expense, the more so that no such en-
gagement existed. Finally she called
upon the President. and begged Of him. ss
a friend Of her deceased husband. to use
his influence in silencins the silly report,
stating that it was very unpleasant to her.
and that the silly story was not founded
upon facts. BEG your pardon" replied
the President. "but I think it ,s."-
"Whst r. exclaimed she, in surprise;
chow DO you make that out ," "Why."
be answered, shutting one eye. and throw
ing . leg over the drum of the stove. "it
is founded upon Colfsx r. Mrs. Douglas
took her departure.
It may be re-sssuring to those who
feared thH the President was. killing him.
self with trouble and care, to relate the
following incident of q call made upon
him by Rev. Mr.. Smel1g1ory. Of Posey
County. Let him tell bis story:
"The roosters crew for morning, and
I hastened to black my boots and brush
my teeth. and found myself. at twenty
nine minutes after FIVE O'Clock, in the
waiting room Of the President. / asked
the usher If I could see Mr.. Lincoln. He
said I could not But / have an engage
ment to meet him this morning. AT
what hour 2 AT half past 6ve O'Clock
We'll. sir, he will see you at half. past
fve-it wants yet half q minute of that
time.' I then walked to and fro for
few seconds. and hearing a sort of musical,
twanging sound. I asked the ..rvant:
Who is making that noise?' 1t is the
President. sir Are any of tho children
with him p No, sir; he is playing the
jewsharp. is that his habit. so early in
the morning ? Yes. sir; be spends every
morning. from one o'clock to half past
five. playing the jewshsrp and whist.
ling"
1t is the deliberate opinion of yours
truly. that Kansas is more densely popu-
lated in Washington City than in any
other quarter. To hear their story, one
would be led to believe that your State
possesses the most self-sacrifcing and de-
voted set of men of any country on the
globe; for at least two-thirds of her vo-
ters are here. and they ell tell me that
they have come to look after the railroad
and other interests of Kansas, at their
own expense. But . little cross-ques-
tioning reveals ths fact that they come in
quest of little positions promised them
for services rendered last Fall, in the Price
A little farther questioning
enables you to understand that the Price
referred to, means the price OF
their votes and their manhood. Let me
relate an incident:
Walking towards the Capitol, the 9th.
sr day. my ears were greeted BY . strange
noise. 1t did not sound like the bowling
Of pack Of wolves. nor yet the fighting
Of dogs or cats-is rather resemblsd the
,prosr made BY Q miscellaneous herd OF
cattle, when they collect about slaugh.
er.pen. and become maddened With the
'mell of blood. Turning . corner. be.
,eld dense and excited tbrong of men
surrounding the doors and windows Of
'ne Of ths rooms in the Capitol building.
Drawing near, was surprised to find
hat every one whom I recognized was .
'itizen of Kansas. They were all yell
ng. screaming. hooting. chstteriug and
alking at once: while policemen and
oldiers were among them. beating them
'sck With clubs and bsyonets. I saw
}ol. Forney among the bystanders. en-.
Dying the sport. and applied to bin for
m explanation Of the scene. He happen
d to be be posted. and enlightened me.
A Cabinet meeting was then in session,