The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-24

IN the earl, Part Of his public life he was
addicted to the free Use of Intoxicating
liquors, but he had put himself upon rio
orouS abstinence, even from wine at his
own table.
Once Il week he excused himself from
whatever company might be present in
the evening, while he went unobserycd to
a prayer meeting in TIE lecture room of
the church. He sat in a back seat. nm
noticed by any one but the pastor, who
said nothing about it to his people. though
he mentioned it to me in speaking of the
President private life.
THE PORTRAIT.
One morning Mr.. Pierce asked Inc to
step with him TO his bed-cllamber The
bed was standing a few feet from the wall.
We sat down on its side. and he drew a
curtain from the portrait hung low. and
near the bed. 1t told its own sad story.
His beautiful boy his son, who was kill
ed as they were coming into this mansion.
He put his hand into mine and wept.
Who could refrain from weeping with
him? 1T is dark, desolate, dreadful: we
thought it would be for his pleasure; that
his future would be SO much brighter; but
my wife and are longing now to 90 away
and be at peace had no words. We
sat some moments i'll silence and with
drew.
THE CABINET.
At breakfast one morning Mr.. Pierce
said to me: Il would like to have YOU see
my Cabinet together. and if You will be
at home at one o'clock | will call for YOU
at your room" At the hour he called
and led me to the apartment where the
members had been in session, and were
now through with business. After intro
duction | had a few words with each of
them. except one; he resumed his seat
and his writing, and yet | remember him
quite distinctly rs any of them. for he has
since been very notorious as Jel1er-
son Davis, President of the Southern Con-
federacy.
William l.. Marcy was the Secretary of
State, and had been also at the head of
the War Department under Mr.. Buchan-
an. i'll the previous administration Gov
ernor Marcy, wishing to make moral re-
Election, observed:
rs it not strange, sir, that men are
willing to come here and bear these bur-
dens. and for what q"
20 no." replied; "not strange Gov
ernor, some gentlemen are willing to come
twice -
He laughed heartily. and said. 'Ah.
there you have me-" for he was one of
them.
James Guthrie. of Kentucky. Secretary
OF the treasury. was Il man of command
ing appearance. Mr.. Dobbin, Secretary
of the Navy, from North Carolina. was
then i'll delicate health. and did not live
long after retirement from office. Robert
McClclland Secretary of the Interior. has
just now died in Michigan Mr.. James
Campbell was Postmaster General, a
Roman Catholic, who alluded to that
fact himself when saying some pleasant
words to me. Caleb Cushing was Attor-
ney General, man of such varied accom-
plishments. industry, versatility, and ca
pacity for public affairs, that he was for
many years, under successive administra-
tions indispensable, whether i'll or out of
office.
MIR. MARCYS DEATH
few years after this, Mr.. Marcy was
residing at the Hotel Sans Souci in Ball
stone Spa, Ill the summer and my family
were guests in the same house. The
alarm was given that Mr.. Marcy was
dead. lie had just come in from walk,
and lying down upon the bed, expired.
The room was soon filled with the board
ers. physician was summoned; and he
searched for signs of life. and asked one
of the ladies of my family to place her
hand over his heart, as her more delicate
touch might detect its throb. All was
still. His eyes We're open and she closed
them.
MRS. PIERCEs LEyEE.
In the course of the week Mrs. Pierce
was to hold levec, and she was so kind
as to request ME to assist i'll the reception.
A few minutes before u NJ, the appoint
ed hour the President called for me, and
we went into The East Room awaiting
Mrs. Pierce, and the opening of the doors
for company. We walked up and down the
long apartment in silence; his thoughts
| do not know; but mine were such as
these What sublime and great posi-
ton does this man hold; the chosen Chief
Magistrate of one of the most powerful
nations on the earth; in few moments
the doors will open. and ambassadors
from distant Kingdoms. senators. schol-
ars. fair women and brave men will
enter, pay their respects and retire" As
such reflections were III my mind, he laid
his hand on ny shoulder and, as if he
OWNED my thoughts. remarked: After
all, man who can preach the gospel and
win men to Christ holds the highest office
on earth
In lew minutes we were i'll position.
receiving the distinguished company
The day was brilliant. the dresses were
elegant morning costumes, the company
included representatives of many courts
and peoples. Mr.. Pierce was gentle
man Of graceful manners, and Mrs. Pierce.
very delicate in health, was an accom-
plished woman of the highest personal
worth. Sad, almost melancholy. she
shrank from such scene, in which duty
held her, but she would be equal to her
position.
Two lads were presented. strangers and
unattended. She greeted them kindly.
almost tenderly, and as they turned away
she looked at me with eyes full of tears.
and said softly, All, those boys, those
dear boys And there in the midst of
all the splendor of that scene, with fash
ion, pride and state around her, the vision
of her boy, her lost boy. her only child,
had entered the hall, and her poor heart
died within her as she thought of him
and her buried love. She trembled as
with an aglle, and, at my suggestion sat
down until she regained her composure.
NO POLITICS.
During the week that passed in the
Presidents house, | heard less of party
and politics than would be heard in Il day
outside. At table, when leading states
men were present with conflicting views
of public questions, it was proper to avoid
such topics as would provoke discussion.
The conversation was, for the most part,
on live subjects in literature. art philoso-
ply, and the progress Of the age Ex-
Senator n. P. Tallmadge, of Duchess
county, who became Spiritualist. had
recently put forth volume OF revelations
from statesmen and others in the spirit
world. After dinner, extracts were read
by these living statesmen from the utter
ances of Madison, Calhoun and others,
and the general impression was that they
had amazingly degeneratcd in intellec
tual force by their change Of state. Even
MIR. Tallmadge, it was remarked, must
have soitened, or he could not have edited
such twaddle and thought in sense.
THE SABBATH
The Sabbath at the White House WAS
wholly devoted to such pursuits as would
mark Christian home in New England.
No company was received We went to
church twice. The reading and CONVEX
sation were i'll keeping with the day. In
the evening | had a long conversation