Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-24

-Aaef aanutd opinions About Chase.
Seward, johnson. Mcclellan ana
Grant.
From the book of Carleton 4 Co, en-
titled "BEHIND THE Scenes" and purport,
ing to be the notes of negro milliner
named Mrs Keekley, of things she saw
and conversations she had while ems
ployed 10 the family Of the late President
Lincoln during his occupancy Of the Ex-
ecutiye Mansion, we extract the follow
ing, and tender them to the reader for
what they may be worth:
WHY DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN WERE RIVALS.
Mrs. Lincoln from her girlbood up had
an ambition 10 become the wife of a Presi-
dent When little girl, as | was told BY
one Of her sisters, she was disposed to be
little NOISY at times, and was self-wilIed
One day she was romping about the room.
making more noise than the nerves of her
grandmother could stand. The old lady
looked over her spectacles, and said, in a
commanding tone:
"Sit down, Mary. Do be quiet What
on earth do you suppose will become OF
YOU il you 90 on this way %'
"Oh, l will be the wife Of President
some day" carelessly answered the petted
child.
Mrs. Lincoln, as Miss Mary Todd, was
quite belle in Springfield, ILL.,, and from
all accounts she was fond of flirting. She
generally managed to keep half dozen
gentlemen biting at the hook that she baited
no temptiBgiy for them. The world, if /
mistaze not, are not aware that the rivalry
between Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Stephen A
Douglas commenced over the hand of Miss
Mary Todd. The young lady was smbi-
tious and smiled more sweetly upon Mr..
Douglas and Mr.. Lincoln than any Of her
other admirers, az they were regarded as
rising men. She played her part 20 well
that neither of the rivals for long time
could tell who would win the day. Mr..
Douglas 6rst proposed for her hand, and
she discarded him. The young man urged
his suit boldly.
Mary, you do not know what you are
relusing. You have always had an ambi-
tion to become the wife of President Of
the United States. Pardon the egotisrn,
but fear that in refusing my hand tonight
you have thrown away your best chance 10
ever rule in the White House."
81 do not understand you, Mr.. Douglas"
Then / will speak more plainly. You
know, Mary, that / am ambitious, like
yourself, and something seems TO whisper
in my ear, 'You will be President some
day Depend upon it shall make a Stub
born fight to win the proud position"
"You have my beat wishes, Mr.. Douglas;
still, j cannot consent TO be your wife.
shall become Mrs, President, or / am the
victim OF false prophets, but it viii not be
as Mrs. Douglas"
CANDID OPINIONS.
Often Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln discussed
the relations of Cabinet officers and gentle
men prominent in politics in my presence.
| soon learned that the wife Of the Presi-
deaf had no love for Mr. Salmon P. Chase,
at that time Secretary of the Treasury.
She was well yeTsed in human characteS,
was somewhat suspicious of those by whom
she was surrounded, and often her iudg-
ment was correct. Her intuition about the
sincerity of individuals was more accurate
than that of her husband. She looked be-
yond, and read the reflection Of action in
the future. Her hostility to Mr.. Chase
was very bitter. She claimed that he was
a selfish politician instead Of true patriot,
and 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
social position through political favor TO
her father. Miss Chaae, now Mrs. Senator
Sprague, was a lovely woman, and was
worthy Of all the admiration she received.
Mr.. Lincoln was more conhding than his
wife. lie never suspected the fidelity of
those who claimed TO be his friends. Hon
est TO the very core himself, and frank as a
child, lie never dreamed of questioning the
sincerity Of others.
Father, i do wish you would inquire a
little into the motives Of Chase" said his
wife one day.
a sofa, holding a newspaper in his hands.
. Mother, you are too suspicious. | give
you credit for sagacity, but you are dis
posed TO magnify trifles. Chase is a pa
triot, and one Of my best friends"
Yes, one of your best friends because il
is his interest to be so. He is anything for
Chase. Ifhe thought he could make any
thing by it he would betray you to-mor-
row."
" / fear that you are preiudiced against
the man, mother. ] know that you do him
injustice"
Mr.. Lincoln, you are either blind or
will not PEE. / am not the only one that
has warned you against him"
True, | receive letters daily from all
parts Of the country telling me not to trust
Chase; but then these letters are written BY
the political enemies Of the Secretary, and
il would be unjust and 70 sh TO pay any
attention TO them"
Very we'll, you will find ont some day,
If you live long enough, that / have read
the man correctly. | only hope that your
eyes may not be opened 70 the truth when
it is too late" The President, as far as
could judge from his conversation with his
wife, continued to con6de in Mr.. Chase to
the time of his tragic death.
Mrs. Lincoln was especially severe on
Mr.. William Ii. Seward, Sscrefsry Of
State. She but rarely lost an opportunity
to say an unkind word Of him.
One morning went to the White House
sarlier than usual. Mr.. Lincoln was sit
ting in a chair residing a paper, stroking
S ith one hand the head Of little Tad !
was hasting a dress for Mrs. Lincoln. A
servant entered and handed the President
q letter just brought by messenger. He
broke the seal, and when he had read the
contents his wife asked "Whc is the let
ter from, father %
Seward | must go over and see him
to dav."
Seward I wish you had nothing TO
DO with that man. He cannot be trusted"
"You say the same of Chase. If lis
tened 10 you l should soon be without
CabInetn
Better 20 be without it than TO con6de
IN some Of the men that you do. Seward
is worse than Chase. He has no prin-
ciple'
Mother, you are mistaken your preju-
dices are so violent that you do not stop 10
reason. Seward is an able man, and the
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 End il a safsrule
to disirusl a disappointed, ambitious poll.
tician. Ii makes me mad TO see you sit
still and let that hypocrite, Seward, twiue
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