The Daily Dispatch: may 21, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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Gay and Festive doings at Washington--
what the people think.

A Washington correspondent of the New York Express gives a narrative of the grievances and privations of the Federal troops in that city, and the growing discontent and dissatisfaction among them. The writer, in conclusion, pays his respects to the President and his family thus:

The President is first responsible for the fashionable display by his family, that formed an example for others, and invite, almost constrain, correspondent responsive returns. In a day of mourning like this, when the people of the land are in sackcloth, millions groaning in want, and thousands upon thousands in sadness because the light of their eyes have been called from them into this war, wherein, by a conflict, possible at any time, they may be extinguished, how unbecoming does it seem for Mrs. President Lincoln to be daily dashing through the lines of soldiers upon the Avenue, with her driver and postilion in livery, in a glaringly labelled carriage, to denote who is the passer; and, as if, in a time for fashion and dress shopping by the way! But the dress reception at the White House of the evening was worse. It was strange that such an official festival could have been thought of. And then, as though all were peace and happiness round about, as if there was ‘"nobody hurt,"’ how gay was it, and what display there was!

That the effect of such things is mischievous, must be apparent. How must they take heart out of those who, having surrendered to the President, to be used by him in this war, for the sake of the Government of our fathers, their veriest darlings, so to find their great sacrifices apparently not weighing at all upon him! A mother's letter, which I have seen, whose first-born son has committed his fortunes to the war, runs upon this subject as follows:

‘ "Oh! this war. How sad and heavy hearted is every one! And yet the President has a reception, and Mrs. Lincoln Figures in dress. Why should her brocade and pearls, even if worn, be mentioned? Was it to torture the many who have had to part with everything, by reason of the distressful condition into which sectional parties have brought us?--Far fitter is it, in my view, in this our day of humiliation, for us to wear sackcloth and be in ashes, than to be decked in pearls and brocade. It would show a better, truer spirit.--Why not our chiefs lay aside all fashion, all festivities, all dress, all parade, and seem to realize the crisis, all with which the hours are charged, and so be to us, to all, an example, that shall inspire respect and confidence, and force from the millions the promise of cooperation, whatever may betide, ‘"where thoroughest I will go."’ So do we feel here, that we cannot hear to put on a head-dress. Even the gaiety of flowers mocks, and ‘"music has no charms"’

’ What will this mother say, when she shall learn that Mr. Secretary Seward follows up what was begun by the President, and gives a grand party this (Tuesday) evening? And what other mothers — yea, and fathers, too?--What a spectacle will that be, to angels as well as men — that feasting, when those who will be participants in it, know full well the sudden, as at the feast of Belshazzar, the scene may be changed, and that the sun of tomorrow may rise upon a people who, for the manner in which they shall be stricken, will see it only through tears!

I did not want to write thus. I would have omitted to do so, could my sense of duty have permitted it. But seeing how the faults, or follies, if it better please, which I have noticed, are working upon soldiers and people, that many, very many, are ‘"hurt"’ thereby.

A sequel to the foregoing may be found in Mrs. Lincoln's recent sojourn at New York, where she purchased most magnificent ornaments for the White House, and a vast quantity of finery for her own person.