The New York herald., 1868-04-22
THE KECKLEY-LINC0LN BOOK.


The following extracts from this curious book refer
TO many Of the most interesting incidents OF the five
years. life in the White House which the authoress,
Mrs. Keckley, describes
THE DEATH OF LITTLE WILLIE.
Finding that Willie continued to grow worse Mrs.
Lincoln determined to withdraw her cards of invita-
ton and postpone the reception. Mr.. Lincoln
thought that the cards had better not be withdrawn
Az least he advised that the doctor be consulted be-
fore any steps were taken. Accordingly DR.. Stone
was called in He pronounced Willie better and
said that there was every reason for an early re-
covery. He thought since the invitations had been
issued 1t would be best to go on with the reception.
Mrs. Lincoln was guided by these counsels and no
postponenent was announced. On the evening OF
the reception Willie was suddenly taken worse.
His mother sat by his bedside long while,
holding his feverish hand In her own, and
watched his labored breathing. The doctor claimed
there was no cause for alarm. arranged Mrs. Lin
coins hair then assisted her to dress Her dress was
white satin, trimmed with black lace. The trail was
very long, and as she swept through the room MI.
Lincoln was standing with his back to the fire, his
hands behind him ana his eyes on the carpet. His
face wore thoughtful, solemn look. The rustng
OF the satin dress attracted his attention. He looked
at 1t a few moments then In his quaint, quiet way
remarked:-
Mrs. Lincoln did not reply. The President added
"Mother it is my opinion II some of that tail was
nearer the head il would be in better STYLE" and he
glanced at her bare arms and neck. She had beau
tifui neck and arm and low dresses were becoming
TO her. She turned away with q look Of offended
dignity, and presently took the Presidents arm and
alone with the sick boy
The reception was large and brilliant one, and
the rich notes Of the Marine Band in the apartments
below came TO the sickroom in soft, subdued MUIR
muis like the wild iaint sobbing OF far-or spirits.
Some OF the young people had suggested dancing,
but Mr. Lincoln met the suggestion with an emphatic
veto. The brillance oi the scene could not dispel
the sadness that rested upon the face OF Mrs. Lin
coin. During the evening she came up stairs several
times and stood by the bedside OF the suffering boy.
She loved him with mothers heart and her anx-
Iey was great. The night passed slowly; morning
"A
days and died. God called the beautiful spirit
home, and the house OF Joy was turned into the
house OF mourning. was worn out with watching
and was not In the room when Willie died,
but was Immediately sent for ! assisted In washing
him and dressing him, and then laid him on The bed,
When Mr. Lincoln came IN. never saw man 80
bowed down with grief. lie came TO the bel, lifted
the cover rom the iace OF MS child gazed at it long
and earnestly, murnuring my poor boy, he was 100
good for this earth. God has called him home.
know that lie Is much better or in Heaven, but then
we loved him so. II is hard hard To have him die ~
Great sobs choked his utterance. lie buried his
head In his hands, and his tail frame was convulsed
with emotion. | stood at the foot Of the bed my
eyes fun OF tears, LOOKING at the In silent awe
| stricken wonder His grief unnerved him and made
him a weak passive child. did not dream hat MS
| rugged nature could be 80 moved. shall never for
| get those solemn mOments-genius and greatness
weeping over loves idol lost. There is grandeur
well as q simplicity about the picture that will never
| fade With me 1t is immorial-i really believe that
snail carry II with me across the dark, mysterious
river OF death.
Mrs. Lincoln's grief was inconsolable The pale
face Of her dead boy threw her into commissions
Around him loves tendrils had been twined, and
now that he was dressed for the tomb, II was like
tearing the tendrils out OF the heart by their roots
Willie she often said, II spared by providence, would
be the hope and stay Of her old age. But Providence
had not spared him. The light faded from his eyes
and the death-dew had gathered on his brow.
kindly bent @ over lis WIFE took her by m the arm and
gently led her to the window. With stately, solemn
gesture, he pointed to the unatic asylum.
"Mother, do you see that large white building on
the hill yondera Try and control your grief or 1t
win drive you mad, aud we may have to send you
there"
LINcoLN's OPINION OF SOUTHERN GENERALS.
Mr.. Lincoln was generous by nature, and though
his whole heart was In the war he could not but re-
spect the valor OF thoSe opposed To him. His soul
was too great for the narrow, selfish Views OF part
sanshlp Brave by nature himself he honored bravery
In others-even his foes Time and again | have
heard him speak In the highest terms OF the soldiery
qualities Of such brave Confederate Generals Lee
Stonewall Jackson and Joseph f. Johnson. Jackson
was his ideal soldier. "He IL q brave honest, Pres
byterIan SOLDIER" were his words; 'what pity thai
we should have to fight such II gallant fellow; II we
only had such to lead the armies OF the North
the country would not be appalled, with SO many dis
astcrs.n
AS this is q rambling chapter I win here record an
incident showing his feeling towards Robert y. lee
Tile very morning OF the day on which he was assas
sinated, his son, Captain Robert Lincoln, came into
the room with portrait Of General Lee Ia his hand
The President took the picture, laid II on table be-
fore him, scanned the face thoughtuly and said lt
Is good face; It Is the face OF noble, noble, brave
man am glad that the war IL over at last" Look
ing up at Robert lac cOntinued:"Wel, my son, you
have returned safely from the front; the war Is now
men that have been lighting against US. trust that
the era Of good feeling has returned with the war
and that henceforth shall live In peace. Now lis
ten to me, Robert; you must lay aside your uniform
and return to college; wish you 10 real law Tor
three years ana a. lhe enn o Una. i .ne hope .ns
yer or not.v His face was more cheerful than had
seen II for a long while, and he seemed TO be In
generous, forgving mood.
| In 1854 the receptions again commenced at the
| white Uouse For the first two years OF Mr.. Lin
| ninis al mi President
10 join I'm the promenade with him, which LEFT Mrs.
Lincoln free to choose an escort rom among Tue ds-
such occasions. This custom at last was dscon-
| tinued by Mrs. Lincoln.
was seated in O comfortable arm chair Elizabeth,
have been thinking over little matter As you are
ws sware "a iead vhe ,he promensde with him. Now i oc
| ours 10 me that this custom Ia an absurd one On
such occasions guests recognize the position Of
Se Se eaS IN eyershns t now they &c
his position they should also recognize mine. am nj,
Ms 20 sna any other IN the making SsT ns
| with him and placing me second. The custom Ia ar
absurd one, and mean to abolish II. The dignity
that owe 10 my position, as Mrs. President, demands
that should not hesitate any longer to act"
Mrs. Lincoln kept her word. Ever after this she
President @ @ walked wa alone or with n gentleman. u The
| change was much remarked, but thereason why Il
was made, believe, was never generally known.
MRS. LINCOLN USES THE POLITICIANS.
| In 1894 much doubt existed in regard to the re
| election OF Mr.. Lincoln, and the white House wa:
beseged by all grades Of politicians. Mis-. Lincoln
was often blamed for having certain class OF mel
| around her.
me In reference to this matter. "ln political can
| vass 1t " policy to cultivate every element o
| strength. These men have influence, and we requir
influence to re-elect Mr.. Lincoln. will be clever Y
| them till after the election, and then, II we rema
| at the White House, l win drop every one OF thcn
| and let them know very plainly that only mad
| tools Of them. They are an unprincipled set, aud
don't mind little doublc-dealing with them"
"Does Mr.. Lincoln know what your purpose sw
asked.
"God no; he would never sanction such a pr,
ceedIng 80 keep him In the dark, and will tell hiI
OF IL when all ~ over. lie In too honest TO take I'll
proper OF hs OWE interests, 30 feel 1t to bc m
| duty ~ electioDcer for him.
mr.. LTSCoLS's ArFECTioS NOT RETURNED.
Mr. Lincoln, as every one knows, WAS far froI
banIsomo. lie was not admired for hs gIacsii
figure and finely moulded fa e. bat fOI the nobility
aonl nn ha hplyt tits W ife va