The Van Buren press., 1868-06-19
Candid Opinions.

, Often Mr.. and Mrs Lincoln discussed
the relations of Cabinet officers and geu-
tlemeu prominent in politics in my pres.
cnce soon learned that the wife ofthe
Prcsidcn, had no love for Mr. SalmonP
Chase, Mt tha. time Secretary Of the Treas
ury. She was well vcrsed in human char.
actcr, was somewhat suspicious Ut those
by whom she was surrounded, and often
her judgment was correct Her intuition
about the sincerity of individuals was
more accurate than that of her husband
She looked beyond. and read tho rehec.
tiun OF seton in the future. Her hostil
my 10 Az. Chase was very btter. She
ci.lmcd that he was a selfish politician in.
stead Of true patriot, aid warned Mr.
Lincoln not to trust him too far The
daughter of the Secretary was quite a
belle in Washington, and Mrs. Lincoln
who was jealous of the popularity Of
others, had no desire to build up her 50
cial position through political favor to
her father Miss Chase, now Mrs. Senator
Sprague, was lovely woman, aud worthy
of all the admiration she received. Mr.
d, Lincoln was more conllding than his wife
He never suspected the fidelity of those
who claimed to be- his friends Honest
to the very core himself. and frank as n
child. he never dreamed of questioning
the sincerity Of others. ...
" Father | do wish that you would in
quirc little into the motives OF Chase"
said his wife one day.
The President was living carelessly mp.
on sofa, holding newspaper IN his
hands Mother YOU are too suspicious
give you credit for sagacity, but you
are disposed to magnify triHes Chase is
a patriot, and one Of my best friends"
"Yes, one of your best friends, because
it is his interest to be SO. lie is anything
for Chase. If he thought he could make
anything by it he would betray you to-
morrow
Z" | fear that you are prciudced against
the man, mother know that you do
him injustice"
" Mr.. Lincoln, you are either blind or
will not see. ! am not the only one that
has warned you against him"
"Truc, receive letters daily from all
parts ofthe country telling me not to trust
Chase, but then these letters are written
by the political enemies of the Secretary,
and it would be unjust and foolish TO
pay any attention to them"
Very well, you will find out some
pay, if YOU live long enough, that have
read the the man correctly. / only hope
that your eyes may not be opened to the
truth when it is too late" The Presi.
dent, as far as | could judge from his
conversation with his wife, continued to
conlidc in Mr.. Chase to the time of his
tragic death adm. fI 4l l. ..@aa ser
Mrs. Lincoln was especially severe on
Mr.. William H. Seward, Secretary OF
State. She but rarely lost an opportnn
ity to say an unkind word Of him
One morning l went 10 the White
House earlier than usual MIR. Lincoln
was sitting in chair reading paper,
stroklng with one hand the head Of little
Tad. was bastng dress for Mrs.
Lincoln a servant entered and handed
the President a letter just brought by a
messenger lie broke the seal and when
J he had read the contents his wife said
"Who is the letter from, fathcr?"
Seward must so over and see him
to day
Seward! | wish you had nothing to
do with that man lie cannot he trusted.
You say the same Of Chase. If |
listened to you | should soon be without
a Cabinet"
"Dettcr bo without it than to confde
ia some Of the men that you do Seward
is worse than Chase lie has no priuci.
Pile" ..
Mother, you are mistaken your pre-.
judices are 50 violent that you do no
stop to reason Seward is an able man
and the country as well as myself can
trust him . ...a .. ..#HI
Father, you are two honest for this
world You should have been born a
saint You will generally find it a safe
rule to distrust disappointed, ambitious
politician. 1t makes me mad to see you
sit still and let that hypocritc, Seward,
twnc you around his finger rs if you
were a skein Of thread.
g. II is useless to argue the question
$ mother You cannot change my opinion.
Mrs Lincoln prided herself upon hel
ability to read character. She was shrewt
and far seeing, and had no patience with
the frank, confidins nature Of the Pres
/, ident .h t1'
, Gen. Mcclellan, when made Com
4 mandcr.in- Chief was the idol of the sol
diers, and never was a General NOR,
universally popular. I" lie is humbug,
remarked Mrs. Lincoln ono day in N,
presence.
. What makes you think so, mother ?
good naturedly inquired the President
Because he talks so much and does sc
little, If had the power I would very
soon take off his head and put some en-
ergetic man in his place"
But ! regard Mcclellan as patrio
and an able soldier He has been mucl
: embarrassed. The troops are raw ard tn
subordinate officers inclined TO be rebel