Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-05
Behina tho scsnss-Mrs. Lincoln.

Mrs. Lincoln has been represented as
n dull woman, and her enemies, particu-
Iarly those OF the Radical press, have
tried 10 ridicule her in every possible
wav. But il is evident from the book,
I" Behind the Scenes" just issued, ,haI
she is shrewder, more sagacious' ana mas
n better knowledge of the character Of
men than the world has given her credit
for. Mrs Keckley, the colored dress
maker and confdante at the white
House, and the author, or .reputed
author of Behind the Scenes" shows
that Mrs. Lincoln saw pretty clearly
into the characters and motives OF the
nrominent men that surrounded her hus'
band. Though the lamented President
Lincoln did not lack penetration, hewas
sometimes led astray in his estimation OF
those about him by his confiding and
generous nature. His wife appears not
10 have been so easily deceived. Mrs.
Keckley's book shows this, with many
other curious things which cannot fail to
make sensation among all connected
with the republican court" during Mr..
Lncoln's Presidency.
Mrs. Lincoln's opinion of Mr.. Chase,
Mr.. Seward, Andrew johnson, Gen. Nc
Clellan, Gen. Grant and others may be
regarded as being little extreme, but 1t
> is quite graphic. OF Mr.. Chase she re.
marked to her husband: p" Yes, one oil
your best friends, because II is his inte'
rest to be So He is anything for Chase.
II he thought he could make anything by
il he would betray you tomorrow" vi
Mr.. Seward she said to the President:
al wish you had nothing to do with
that man. He cannot be trusted"
And, again, Seward is worse than
Chase; he has no principle" When
Andrew johnson was about to be made
Military Governor of Tennessee she re-
marked, fiercely, He is a demagogue,
and ifyou place him in power, Mr.. Lin
coin, mark my words, you will rue 1t
some day." She remarked of General
Mcclellan, "He is a humbug." When
asked why she said 80 she replied, /" Be
cause he talks so much and does so little.
i tell You he is humbug, and you will
have TO find some man to take his. place
that is, If you wish to conquer the
South" Speaking of General Grant she
observed: " He is butcher, and is not
hit TO be at the head OF an army. anu
when the President said, by way
of defending the General, but he
has been very successful, she replied,
Eyes, he generally manages to claim
victory, but such victory He loses
two men for the enemy's one. If the war
should remain four years longer, and he
in power, he would depopulate the North.
According to his tactics there is nothing
under the heavens to do but to march
new line of men up in front of the
rebel breastworks, to be shot down as
fast as they take their position. Grant,
/ repeat, is an obstinate fool and
a butcher" Such is the estimate Mrs
Lincoln had of these prominent indi-
viduals. The public can judge as to the
correctness of the sketches. We are not
surprised at the bitter luminosity of the
Radicals to Mrs. Lincoln, and their per-
secution of her, nor at the hostility of
those whose characters and conduct she
has graphically depicted. They have not
spared her, and we think this is only
paying them eff justly. Mrs. Keckley,
or Mrs. Lincoln herself might make
great many other revelations that would
be interesting and useful-Ddy Book.