The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-23
BEHIND THE SCENES.

nECoLLECTioSs OF THE WHITE HOUSE DURING
| L1NcoLN's ADMINISTRATIONS SERVANTS
rEsr1MoNY-MRs. LINcoINs VIEWS ON STATE
| CRAFT AND PoIIT1c1ANs-HER EARLY AMB1-
| TON, FL1RTATIoNs AND coURTsHRs.
We have already alluded to the book now
attracting some attention at the North, written
ostensibly by colored woman styling herself
elizabeth. Keckley, formerly slave, but
more recently modiste and friend to Mrs.
Abraham Lincoln" By her own account she
was born slave in Virginia about fifty years
since, and having made her way from the plan
| tation to be sort of court dressmaker in
Washington during the war, has deemed the
contrast between the two extremes OF her ca
reer sufficiently striking to make her history
worth writing. She has consequently written
| it, OF had it written, in style that will prove
immensely popular at the North. In Wash
ington, she was employed by Mrs. Jefferson
Davis, Mrs. Stephen Douglas, Mrs. Abraham
Lincoln, and less frequently by the daughters
of President johnson. The main interest that
I the book will have for the public will be that it
gives view to the inner life OF Mr.. Lincoln,
and tells Of the career Of his wife and widow
az seen by the colored dressmaker.
The following extract presents the tone in
which statesmen were sometimes dis cussed en-
fdmile:
CANDID OPINIONS.
Often Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln discussed the re-
lations of Cabinet officers and gentlemen pro-
minent in politics in my presence. soon learn
cd tbat the wife OF the President had no love
for Mr. Salmon P. Chase, at that time Secreta-
ry of the Treasury. She was well versed III
human character, was somewhat suspicious OF
those by whom she was surrounded, anu o1ten
her Judgment was correct. Her intuition about
the sincerity of individuals was more accurate
than that of her husband. She looked beyond,
and read the reflection of action in the future.
Her hostility to Mr.. Chase was very bitter. She
claimed that he was selfish politician instead
of true patriot, and warned Mr.. Lincoln not
to trust him too far: The daughter OF tne
Secretary was quite belle in Washington, and
Mrs. Lincoln, who was jealous Of the populari-
ty of others, had no desire to build up lie: So
cial position through political favor to herfath-
eI. Miss Chase, now Mrs. Senator Sprague
was a lovely woman, and was worthy OF oil the
admiration she received. MIR. Lincoln was
more confiding than his wife. he never sus-
Epected the fidelity o. those who clalmed 70 De
fhis friends. Honest to the very core hlmse
and frank as child, he never dreamed OF q
tioning the sincerity OF others.
ssFather, do wish that you would in quire q
little into the motives of Chase, said his wife
one day.
The President was lying carelessy upon
sofa, holding newspaper In his hands. Moth
er, 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"
eyes. one OF your best friends because it is
his interest to be 80. He is anything for Chase.
If he thought he could make anything bylt he
would betray you tomorrow" ~,
II fear that you are prejudiced against the
n an mother. know that you do him lnJus-
s'NIr. Lincoln, you are either blind or will
not see. am not the only one that has warned
you against him."
"Truc, I receive letters daily from all parts
of the country, telling me not to trust Chase;
but then these letters are written by the politi-
cal enemies Of the Secretary, and it would be
unjust and foolish to pay any attention to
them.' :,
every we'll, you will find out some day, it
you live long enough that have read the man
correctly. l only hope that your eyes may not
be opened to the truth when it is too late"
The President, as far as I could Judge from his
conversation with his wife, continued to con-
fde in Mr.. Chase to the time OF bis tragic
death.
Mrs. Lincoln was especially severe on Mr..
William H. Seward, Secretary OF State. She
but rarely lost an opportunity to say an uuklnd
word Of him.
One morning I went to the White House
earlier than usual. Mr.. Lincoln was sitting in
chair reading a paper, stroking with one
hand the head of little Tad. Twas bastlnS
dress tor Mrs. Lincoln. a servant entered aid
handed the President q letter just brought by
| messenger. He broke the seal, and when he
| l.. 4 = l. re IL
"Who is the letter FROM father?.'
Seward" must 90 over and see him to-
day." -
with that man. He cannot be trusted"
"lou say the same OF Chase. II | listened
to YOU should soon be without Cabinet
s'Better be without it than TO contlde in some
of the mer that YOU do. Seward is worse than
Chase. He has no principle"
Mother, YOU are mistaken; Your prejudices
are so violent that you do not stop to reason;
| Seward is an able man, and the country as we'll
as myself can trust him: -.
.Father YOU are too honest for this world
You should have been born saint. You will
generally find 1t O. safe rule to distrust disap-
pointed. ambitious politician. 1t makes ME
mad to see YOU sit still and let that hypocrite
Seward twilie YOU around his finger az II you
were sEcin OF thread
1T is useless to argue the question, mother,
you cannot change my opinion
Mrs. Lincoln prided herself upon her ability
to read character. She was shrewd and far
seeing, and had no patience with the frank, COLI
fiding rature Of the President.
When Andrew Johnson was urged for mill
tary governor Of tennessee, Mrs. Lincoln bit
teriy opposed tie appointment,
sHe is demagogue." she SAID. almost fierce
", Iand if YOU place him i'll power, Mr.. Lin
coin, mark my words. you will rue it some
day.
in-chief, was the idol OF the soldiers, and Fever
was general morv universally popular. He
is humbug," remarked llrs Lincoln one Gay
'sWiiat makes you think so, mother :'' good
naturedly inquired the President. =.
ssBeca1sc lie talks 20 much and does SO 1T
tie. II I had the power 1 would very soon take
off his head and put some energetic man n
his place. ....,,
able oider He mas been I'm much engaEras5SS ei
GERS inc. ned to te lcbelllous. There are too
many politicians in the army with shoulder
81. -, ;,ol,,u ff ,;rn They Wi1l k nlm Oil