Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-05
The Lincoln Scandal.

The Radicals, having damaged Mrs. Lin
coin ROirreparably, are now engaged IN heap
ing what may or not be obloquy on the grave
of her husband There is in the West
newspaper edited by person well, if not
favoTably known on both sides of the Allan
tic, of the musical name of Don Platt. He
was intimate at the White House, and knew
all about it. He is of course terribly shock
ed at Mrs. Lihcolu's recent conduct in New
York, and thus accounts for it. We quote
his very words. adding none, Withholding
none, and we especially beg our readers to
note the one point which he makes against
the late President in this; that if Judge
Smith was removed from, or forced to resign
the Secretaryship of the Interior because he
would not .connive at Mr.. LincOln's fraudu>
lent vouchers, surely Mrs. Lincoln is not the
only one to blame. But let Radicalism speak
for itself. The description of the Executive
Mansion from 1861 to 1865, is certainly what
the newspaper press calls graphic -
tFrOm the a:ac-a Check Prees, RadicaI.l
1t was known to the wide circle that bust.
ness or social life brought in contact with the
Executive Mansion, that its interior was as
gross, vulgar, and corrupt rs it was possible
for any house to be and retain even a SEM
blance Of responsibility. The startled pub
lie row reads its history in forty-thousand
dollar wardrobe, made up of shawls, laces and
diamonds-the gifts of dear friends"-how
''dear" the poor public is now realizing in the
millions that shameless thieves have stolen
and are yet stealing. The saddest part of all
i, 10 sc Nho ,tgh =
memory of the martyr President. How was
it possible that these gifts from ''dear friends"
we're paid for in lucrative Offices, given under
the signature Of Abraham Lincoln, without
that shrewd man being aware of the infa.
nous character of the official, and the nature
of the bargain that brought him into Office
This is surmise only, but Thurlow Weed
seems determined to bring the business home
to the late President.
Mr.. Weed might have added the fact that
this refusal to approve of bare faced awindle
cost Mr.. Smith his seat in the Cabinet Mr..
Lincoln so far sympathizing with his wife in
this extraordinary transaction. Mrs. Lincoln
was AOt only as unprincipled and avaricious as
the late sale indicates, but she was and is ex-
ceedingly ignorant and stupid and yet how
are we to account for the control she exercised
over the domestic life and public affairs of the
lamented President. We remember how
panied the loyal hearts of the Union were to
learn that in the darkest hour of our national
pride, when our armies were paralyzed by
imbecility, and our treasury was being robbed
by dishonest agents, while the artillery of the
enemy echoed through the very halls of the
Capitol, dancing, drinking entertainment,
or bali was given at the White House. This
was shocking, but it became horrible when
the fact leaked out that, while the noise of
revelry shook the time honored mansion, in
one of the upper chambers a child of the host
and hostess lay dying Of fever, that had set
in and alarmed the family physician, when
the cards of invitation were being issued -
We turn away fFOm the inner life of this
White House, that was indeed whitened
sepulchrc, in sorrowing disgust, aud feel
ashamed through all our being that the curtain
was ever lifted to let light in on Its loathsome
contents.