The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-09

The New York Commercial Advertiser, Mr.
! Thurlow Weeds paper; commenting upon the
foregoing remarks
We have never approached question with half
the sorrow that this one awakens. To vindicate
shield and protect "Heavens best gilt to man" is
grateful duty, while to even reprove. and much
more to assai 4 woman, is painful, and ii without
perfect justification, urimanly.
Ifthe American Congress, or the American peo-
pie have failed to meet tho pecuniary expectations
of Mr. Iincoin's widow. H is because that person.
age failed, during h!s lie and since his death, to
inspire either with iespect or confidence. They
should not, therefore, be subjected to the re-
proach. cr rest under, she mputaion of ngrati-
tude. Had Mrs. Iinc,''a, while in power, borne
herself becouingly, the suggestion OF Lincoln
Fnnd. by voluntary contributions, would have
was warm. It gushed out in liberal endowments
for Grant and Farragnt. 1t would as cheerfny
have met the appeal in favor of Mrs. Lincoln il it
had not intuitivey closed and chilled.
| In her conversations Mrs. Lincoln is represented
az bitterly denouneine Secretary Seward, FOR
which, or course, there Is no warrant or excuse,
,or he wrongs no Ipan, and much less is ho cap
able of injustice, wronGi or even unkindnes5, to
woman.
Smith. then Secretary Ofthe Interior, being our
informont q fact yhieE incensed Mrs. Lincoln
against MIR. Seward. The President gave the
Prince Napoleon dinner. for which Mrs. Lincoln
sent to the Secretary Of the Interior for payment
bllof some 5000. Thisp demand, though wholly
illegal, coming from the Presidents wife, ombar-
rassed the Secretary, WHO called upon the Secre
tary of State for advice, where he learned that
Mr.. Seward had also dnea the Prince, having tho
same number of guests, and giving them o dupl-
cate of the dinner. of the White House. In fact,l
Mr.. seward ordered both DINNERS from the same
Restaurant, and by his own hill, knew
the cost of eachsq Fnr what MIR. Seward
paid $500, Mrs. Lincoln demanded :900. Put
whether three or nine hundred, the claim
was alike illegal and could not. be- paid. For
this, however, Mrs. Lincpin quarrelled with Sec
retsries Smith and Seward. This amotnt how
ever, was subsequently covered up in Gardners,
account but Occasioned scandal, which respect for
Mr.. Lincoln measurabiy suppressed.
Though MIR. Lincoln lett an estate which ena-,
had ever lived, Congress and the people would
have promptly and oheerfuDy provided mlIniticent-
ly for them if Mrs. Lincoln herself, with every adj
vantage that high position gave her, had made
friends or inspired respect And this last exhibi-
tion proves how lnstinctiye,y right the popular cs
innate OF her character was
The fact for which Mrs. Lincoln selks large pub
licty namely, that she received presents valued
at So, ,0G0 is pregnant and suggestiya onc-sug
gestiye at least, Of offices and contracts, unless
the moro charitable construction if reached
through the assumption that they Were express
sions OF regard and friendship. But it Is not
known that the wife of any other President, how
ever osimabf. was 80 loaded with shawls, laces,
furs, diamonds, rings. ~.
Mrs. Lncoln's propensity to sell things was
manifested early and before any necessity was
foreseen Ii our informa ton is reliable eleven OF
Mr. Lincons new linen shirts were sold almost be
fore the remains, which were shrouded on the 18th,
had started for that "b0urne from whence no
traveller returns
Indlvidually, wo are obliged to Mrs. Lincoln for
an expression Of her lll.will 1t is pleasant TO re
mombcr that We we're always out Of favor in that
quarter And it is equally pleasant To remember
that We possessed the friendship and confidence
of Mr. Lincoln to the last hour OF his Hfe without
paying court, as others did, 10 Mrs. lincoln, and,
IN spite of her constant efforts to disturb our re-
lations.
This notifying revelation will go abroad, ard as
is natural, the press of Europe will make the most
of it, in deprecatng the ingratitude Of our Govern
ment, and the want of libcrality in the American
people This consideration alone constrairis us to
discharge the unpleasant duty of showing that
neither the Government nor tho people are Justly
obro1o us to these accusations,