The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-17
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. MARCH II, 1856:

SAINT PAUL, FRIDA
| q waltz, and acted accordingly. The galop,
| the schottische and varsovienne, the Danish
| and the redowa were all Greek to them. They
| undertook nothing but [plain waltz and q
plain quadrille, and appeared to think that
| they were exhibiting the greatest science
Those of the plebeians who did not dance gath
cred around the doors of the supper rooms,
and remained there from nine o'clock until the
time that the supper room was opened. This
gives pretty accurate idea Of their calibre.
| COURT SET.
The President and Mrs. Lincoln did moi
dance, nor did the grave Secretaries trip the
"light fantastic" There was q court set,
however. Vice Admiral Farragut, Maj. Gen.
Banks, Congressman Arnold, and an attdche Of
| one of the legations, danced the Lancers to-
gether. Miss Buchanan, daughter of Commo.
| dore Buchanan, of the Boston Navy Yard, and
Miss Wilson of Chicago were in this set. An
admiring crowd surrounded the party, and they
danced with grace and spirit unequalled by any
others of the large company. The notabilities
did not keep together or dance together, but
mingled freely with the crowd. Some of the
distinguished people were conspicuous from
Laelr aDSeuC6. NcltucT StCTcIdTy OLduIOu,
| Chief Justice Chase, Senator Sprague nor Mrs.
| Sprague were present. These absentees were
noted, and the political bearings of the fact
| discussed. Indeed, every incident had its pO-
| litical significance in the opinion OF many.
Because Senator Sumner escorted Mrs. Lincoln
| it was presumed that the President had en-
| dorsed his reconstruction theories. Because
| Captain Robert Lincoln escorted Miss Harlan,
| it was supposed that Senator Harlan is to 60
into the Cabinet. People said that Chase and
| Sprague stayed away because Surveyor Wake
man had been confirmed. Politicians now
| catch at such straws. A nod from Mrs. Liz
| coin is considered equivalent to an appoint
| ment.
GOSSIP OF THE BALL.
This suggests few words about the gossip
of the ball. As Andy johnson passed, gen.
tleman remarked to a radical Senator that the
Vice President in his inaugural speech. had
disgraced his party and the country. "Well, "
said the Senator, I'VE don't regret it, for he
has no chance now for the Presidency. He
has killed himself off," Another gentleman
added that ''Andy johnson was not fnebriated
on Inauguration day, but had rehearsed his
speech to lot OF Tennesseeans the night be-
FORE" 1t was generally noticed that the Presi-
dent did not recognize Andy johnson, nor
were they seen together. Tad. Lincoln's ex-
ploits in ordering out the Black Horse Cavalry
Band whenever he wants serenade were gos.
slipped about. 1t was said that Tad. issued his
orders like major general, refused to let his
favorites leave Washington, and forced the
President to make speeches to his cavalry
force. Are we to have Prince Imperial
Mrs. Lincoln's influence was also spoken OF,
and inquiries were made as to what she would
do with those Congressman who defeated the
"Omnibus bill which contained an appropria.
ton of $40 900 to refurnish the White House.
One prominent politician stated that he knew
A. Al De- I.es IL
if he restored the Union, and quoted Washing
tons third nomination as q precedent.
THE COLORED RACE.
In spite of the reports to the contrary, not
one negro was guest at the ball. Numbers
of them were on hand as walters, however,
and were on view in the outside halls. The
retiring rooms of the Presidential party were
exclusively attended by negroes. This was the
only concession to the African race The alb.
were 80 conspicuous during the Inauguration
ceremonies at the Capitol, and the reception
and in the procession, that every one expected
| to see them dance the Juba or Virginia reel
| before the President. Nobody could have OBJ
jected, probably, had they been present, for
| this was thoroughly abolition ball, all of the
| old Washington aristocracy refusing to attend.
| But either the inclination or the ten dollars
was wanting, and the colored race was uurep.
| resented.
SUPPER READY.
| Just before twelve o'clock the President was
| notified that supper was ready. The Presi
| dental party then retired in the same order
as they entered, and rush was made to follow
them. Policemen kept back the crowd and
the party got safely out of the ballroom and
were ushered in the supper room by private
entrance. Then the doors were thrown open
to the guests, who dashed In pell-mell in dread.
| full confusion, ladies being crushed against the
walls, or dragged half fainting through the
| crowd. Men tried to tear down the temporary
doorway. The table was cleared almost in q
moment and after the first ten minutes the
| In an hour there was nothing left to bring.
| At least half the people went away hungry.
| There was no attempt to keep order. The
| committee men were not to be found, and
| the policemen were insOlent and inefficient.
1t was impossible to get in or out of the supper
room or near the table. No wines were fur
nished with the supper, and but little water.
| other end of the building, where nobody could
get at it till supper was over. The floor was
covered with debris Of the supper. All the
| dresses which escaped spOliation below were
spoiled here. The ladies were very angry-so
were the men. Some bullied, some bribed the
walters, and some ate the remains OF othe!
peoples suppers. The mass surged to and
fro like sea. Plates were broken Dy dozens.
There was q general mess.
THE PRESIDENTIAL FEAST.
The Presidents party feasted at the upper
end of the hall and having finished attempted
to pass out. But Andy JOhnsoDs plebeians
were savage with hunger. and would not make
way for anybody. The Presidents party were
thus forced to enter an alcove between the
cases of models, climb up stairs, and emerge
upon sort of balcony above the heads of the
crowd, where they could look down upon the
struggle for viands. Nobody cared to follow
them now. The President and Others of the
party spoke in severe terms of the disorder.
Mrs. Lincoln said it was "a scramble" well II
said the President 1T appears like very sys-
| tematic scramble" This was his only little
Joke during the evening. After that he grew
serious, and wanted to 60 home. The party
crowded along the narrow balcony. descended
another stairs, and passed out quietly, without
being noticed. They at once proceeded to
their dressing rooms, without re-entering the
ballroom, and without being attended by 8
single outsider. In ten minutes they were
dressed, and at precisely one O'Clock Ae5