The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-29


at every reception, selects lady to lead the
promenade with him. Now, it occurs to me
| that this custom is an absurd one. On such
occasions our guests recognize the position OF
the President as first of all; consequently he
takes The lead in everything; well, now, if they
recognize his position they should also recog-
nize mine. Il am his wife and should lead with
him. And vet he offers his arm to any other
lady in the room, making her first with him
and placing me second. The custom is an ab-
surd one and I mean to abolish it. The dig
| nity that owe to my position, as Mrs. Presl-
| dent, demands that should not hesitate any
longer to act.
Mrs. Lincoln kept her word. Ever after this
she either led the promenade with the Presi-
gentlemen. The change was much remarked,
but the reason why it was made, believe, was
never generally known.
NTRIaUEs OF THE "coURT."
In 1854 much doubt existed in regard to the
House was besieged by eli grades of poiti-
clans. Mrs. Lincoln was often blamed for
having certain class of men around her.
"I have an object in view, 'LiZabeth, she
said 70 me in reference to this matter. 'tIn q
political canvass it is policy to cultivate every
element of strength. These men have influence
and we require influence to re-elect MIR. Lin
election. and then, if we remain ct the White
House, will drop every one of them and let
them know very plainly that only made tools
Of them. They are an unprincipled set, and :!
don mind little double dealing with them" !"
'Does Mr.. Lincoln know what your purpose
is ?" asked.
ssGod! no; he would never sanction such a
proceeding, 80 I keep him in the dark, and
will tell him Of it when all is over. He ls too
L &o to6 fna 10
terests, so feel it to be my duty to electoneer
for him."
A DOMESTIC NECESSITY ooNFDED TO 'L1zABETH
Mrs. Lincoln was extremely anxious that her
husband should be reelected President OF the
United States. In endeayoring to made dis
play becoming her exaltef ion she had to
incur many expenses -.r. .Iincoln's salary
was inanequate to meet them, and she was
forced to run in debt, hoping that good for
tune would favor her, and enable her to extrl-
cate herself from an embarrassing situation.
She bought the most expensive goods on cred
il. and in the summer of 1854 enormous unpaid
bills stared her in the face.
"What do you think about the election, Liz
abeth p she said to me one morning.
IT think that Mr.. Lincoln will remain in the
White House four years longer replied,
looking up from my work.
"What makes you think so? Somehow 1
because he has been tried and has proved
faithful to the best interests of the country.
The people of the North recognize in him an
honest man, and they are willing to confde in
him, at least until the war has been brought
to q close. The Southern people made his
election pretext for rebellion, and now to @ re-
culinary war, would look too much like a sur
render of the war. 30 Mr.. Lincoln is certain
to be reelected. He represents principle,
and to maintain this principle the loyal people
of the loyal States will vote for him, even If ne
had no merits to commend him"
'sYour view is plausible one, 'Lizabeth, and
YOUR confidence gives me new hope. IT 4e
should be defeated, do not know what would
become of us all. 70 me- to him, there is
more at stake in this election than he dreams
Of"
'sWhat can you mean, Mrs. Lincoln? do
not comprehend"
''simpiy this have contracted large, debts,
of which he knows nothing. and which he will
be unable to pay If dsis ne is dsIeated Mss ..
"They consist chiefly of store bills. I owe
altogether about 1900; the principal portion
at Stewards, in New York. You understand,
Iizabeth, that Mr.. Lincoln has but little idea
Of the expense Of a woman's wardrobe. He
gances at my rich dresses, and is happy IN
the belief that the few hundred dollars that
obtain from him will supply all my wants. l
must dress in costly materials. The people
scrutinize every article that I wear with critic
ell curiosity. The very fact of having grown
I'D in the West subjects me to more searching
observation. To keep up appearances must
have money-more than Mr.. Lincoln can
spare for me- He is TOO honest to make q
penny outside of his sa).Sy consequently l
had, and still haye no alternative but to run
| in debt"
Uhnd NJ T;ncoIn dooe not avon cuanpct how
much you owe?"
"God, no!"-this was fayorite expression
| of hers-"and would not have him suspect.
| If he knew that his wife was involved to the
extent that she is, the knowledge would drive
him mad. He is 30 sincere and stralghtfor-
ward himself that he is shocked by the duph-
city Of others. He does not know thing about
any debts, and 1 value his happiness, not to
speak of my own, too much 70 allow him to
know ANYTHING. This is what troubles me &c
much. II he is reelected can keep him IL
ignorance of my affairs; but if he is defeated
| then the bills will be sent in and he will know
ALL" and something like hysterical sob es'
capped her.
Mrs. Lincoln sometimes feared that the pol
iticians would get hold of the particulars of-hel
| debts and use them in the Presidential cam
paign against her husband, and when this
thought occurred to her she was almost Graz.
with anxiety and fear:
When in one of these excited moods, She
would fiercely e1claim
"The Republican politicians must pay M!
debts. Hundreds OF them are getting i'm
mensely rich off the patronage Of my husband
and it is but fair that they should help me ou
of nv embarrassment. will make demand
of them. and when tell them the facts the,
cannot refuse to advance whatever money re
quire."
sswuL YOU BRUSH ny BRIsTIEs DOWN :"
In packing, Mrs. Lincoln gave away every
thing intimately connected with the President
as she said that she could not bear to be re
minded of the past. The articles were givel
to those who were regarded as the warmest o
MIR. Lincoln's admirers. all of the present.
| passed through my hands. The dress Mrs
Lincoln wore on the night Of the ASSASSINATION
was given to Mrs. Slade, the wife OF an OLD an!
faithful messenger. The cloak, stained Will
the Presidents blood, was given to me, as ais
was the bonnet worn on the same memorabl
night, Afterwards received the comb ant
brIsh that Mr.. Lincoln used during his resi-
dence at the White House. With the sam
comb and brush had often combed pis head
When almost ready 10 go down to reception
he would turn to me with quizzlcal looI
ssWell. Madam Elizabeth, will you brush In
bristles down tonight"
ELIZABETH QUOTES MRS. TooDLEs.
There was much surprise when Mrs. Lincol
left the White House what her fifty or SIX
boxes, not to count her score OF trunks, coul
, contain. Had the government not been s.
liberal In furnishing the boxes it IS posslbl
that there would have been less demand for {
much transportation. The boxes were looseI
packed. and many of them with articles M
rr-orth o,rrrinn away Mrs Lincoln had