Year: 1868

The following by the GaIena (Ills.)
CORES sDondent of the N. Y. Times, in
regard to the next Mistress of the White
House, is interesting


It was not necessary for me TO enjoin
in the spirited affability, the exquisite
conversational powers of Mrs. Grant,
in order to learn that Ulysses Grant
has a well developed domestic nature (;
that his love Of home and of family is
of the purest, highest order; that his
home relations are refreshingly sweet
and beautiful. A visit or two at his
fireside VIII disclose these facts, and
they are seen, too, not in the grand
drama of HfamilY exhibition" with the
astonishing reality behind the curtain, }
but in those small, intimate and fa mil
lar matters which, combined, form the
delightful superstructure OF happy
home. Gen. Grant takes great delight
in his children, particularly the young
est-the family pet-Master Jesse. He
is, indeed, a dear bright boy, ana
worthy any fathers affection, but
Grant makes him a companion, and is
both father and friend to the young
scion. Speaking of the coming cares
and responsibilities of the Executive
Mansion and of the old-time joys when
thew lived in a rented brick cottage on
a towering ridge in West Galena, Mrs.
Grant said to me:


WThose were the happiest days of my





every convenience and comfort; the
ward w8s large; you saw 1t Well, It
Ioesen't look half SO lovely now as
then; the grass grew luxUriantly, and
bright flowers and fresh trees made 1t
LITTLE paradise, In the evening Mr..
Grant would come home, and would
have the children all dressed and myself
in an evening robe, and we were just as
happv as we could wish. Often we
would ride out with the children, and
I did really love to keep house then"


But the election to the Chief Mag1s-
tracy of the nation Of her husband is
likewise her own promotion, and
while he is thereby made the central
political figure in this republic, If not
tn the world, she in station becomes the
leading lady of American society. This
government, like some OF the O1d
World, has suffered the disgrace and
humilation of unworthy women in
high place. The country yet smarts un-
der fresh exhibitions thereof. Now,
that a quiet man Of the people is to
assume the Presidential office, the IN
oufry turns naturally 10 the qualities
Mrs Grant will bring into the honora-
bic position she will soon be called on
to fill.


In a general way, It might be said that
she is in all respects lady that she -
true woman, good wife fond moth-
ar. and that the fashionable world need
feel NO apprehension that so long as she
presides over the Presidential Mansion
its conductiOn Will not be of q charac-
ter to crafty and charm the most scrup-
uIous admirer and most fastidious crit
ic of what is fit and proper in that high


During the memorable dark April
davs of 1865, 1t will be reccOllected that
something was published about 1t hav-
ing been the intention of General Grant
to accompany President Lincoln to
Ford's Theater on the fetal night OF
ApriI IA. In all probability the des-
perate assassin intended to commit
double murder; and perhaps the nation
does not know that It was by the decis-
ion of Mrs. Grant that such an auRmen-
Ted calamity was averted. Mrs. Grant
detailed to me the circumstances which
determined her to proceed by the train
that night to Philadelp hia. She
said further:


dA messenger called with note from
Mrs. Lincoln requesting us TO accom-
pany the Presidential party TO Ford's
Theater, / informed her that we were
going to Philadelphia. But said the
messenger, you are announced IN the
papers TO be present Tonight In
more emphatic manner / responded
You will please deliver any message
with my respects He returned to Mrs.
Lincoln, and we took the evening train
for philadelphia"


Thus, by sacrifice of pleasure TO duty,
she doubtless saved the life Of her hus-
band, and averted additional horror
from detied people.