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Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xli. (search)
ers to me? This went on for a few months, and he then modified this practice by requesting a synopsis of the contents. His time became more and more curtailed, and for the last year his only expression was, Show me where you want my name? It is not generally known that the speech always made by the President, upon the presentation of a foreign minister, is carefully written for him by the Secretary of State. A clerk in the department, ignorant of this custom, was one day sent to the White House by Mr. Seward, with the speech to be delivered upon such an occasion. Mr. Lincoln was writing at his desk, as the clerk entered--a half-dozen senators and representatives occupying the sofa and chairs. Unable to disguise a feeling of delicacy, in the discharge of such an errand, the young man approached, and in a low voice said to the President: The Secretary has sent the speech you are to make to-day to the Swiss minister. Mr. Lincoln laid down his pen, and, taking the manuscript, sai
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xlii. (search)
Xlii. One bright morning in May, the Sunday-school children of the city of Washington, marching in procession on anniversary day, passed in review through the portico on the north side of the White House. The President stood at the open window above the door, responding with a smile and a bow to the lusty cheers of the little folks as they passed. Hon. Mr. Odell, of Brooklyn, with one or two other gentlemen, stood by his side as I joined the group. It was a beautiful sight; the rosy-cheeked boys and girls, in their Sunday's best, with banners and flowers, all intent upon seeing the President, and, as they caught sight of his tall figure, cheering as if their very lives depended upon it. After enjoying the scene for some time, making pleasant remarks about a face that now and then struck him, Mr. Lincoln said: Mrs. Ann S. Stephens told me a story last night about Daniel Webster, when a lad, which was new to me, and it has been running in my head all the morning. When quite yo
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xlxv. (search)
e speaker concluded, with an expression of countenance very like a sneer, This is another raid upon McClellan, I take it! Mr. President, was the reply, we came here to lay these facts before you solely from a sense of duty. Had I the power, sir, I would take possession of the lawns in front of this mansion for the benefit of our wounded men, so many of whom are now dying on the Pamunkey, for want of pure air and water. After the sights witnessed upon those seven steamboats now lying at White House, I covet every spot of greensward my eyes rest upon. What I have told you of the actual condition of things at that landing is below the truth, as the gentlemen who accompany me will confirm to your satisfaction. For myself, allow me to say, sir, that I belong to that political organization which opposed your election to the Presidency — the same organization to which General McClellan is presumed to belong. This is no raid upon him or upon you. It is simple justice to the wounded and
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xlv. (search)
Xlv. One Saturday afternoon, when the lawn in front of the White House was crowded with people listening to the weekly concert of the Marine Band, the President appeared upon the portico. Instantly there was a clapping of hands and clamor for a speech. Bowing his thanks, and excusing himself, he stepped back into the retirement of the circular parlor, remarking to me, with a disappointed air, as he reclined upon the sofa, I wish they would let me sit out there quietly, and enjoy the music. I stated to him on this occasion, that I believed no President, since the days of Washington, ever secured the hearts of the people, and carried them with him as he had done. To this he replied that, in such a crisis as the country was then passing through, it was natural that the people should look more earnestly to their leaders than at other periods. He thought their regard for any man in his position who should sincerely have done his best to save the government from destruction, woul
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xlvi. (search)
House of Representatives. Among the numerous auditors attracted by the name of the preacher, I noticed Mr. Shannon, whose face was not often seen in church. On the way to my hotel, we fell in together. Well S., said I, what think you of that style of preaching? It was the first Gospel sermon I ever heard in my life! was the emphatic rejoinder. One of Mr. Shannon's California colleagues, the Hon. Mr. Higby, told me that having special business one evening, which called him to the White House, the President came into the office, dressed for a state dinner. In the conversation which followed, holding up his hands, encased in white gloves, he remarked, with a laugh, that one of his Illinois friends never could see his hands in that predicament, without being reminded of canvassed hams! Mr. Lincoln was always ready to join in a laugh at the expense of his person, concerning which he was very indifferent. Many of his friends will recognize the following story,--the incident h
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Xlviii. (search)
receive him below stairs. In this, however, I reckoned without my host. He looked up quickly, as I mentioned the name, but recovering himself, said, with unusual blandness: Please say to Mr. Greeley that I shall be very happy to see him, at his leisure. I have been repeatedly asked to what extent Mr. Lincoln read the newspapers. It might have dampened the patriotic ardor of many ambitious editors, could they have known that their elaborate disquisitions, sent in such numbers to the White House, were usually appropriated by the servants, and rarely, or never, reached the one they were pregminently intended to enlighten as to his duty and policy. I recollect of but a single instance of newspaper reading on the part of the President, during the entire period of my intercourse with him. One evening, having occasion to go to the Private Secretary's office, supposing the rooms to be vacant, I came upon Mr. Lincoln, seated quietly by himself, for once engaged in looking over the con
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, L. (search)
once knew a man who invariably whistled with his stammering, and he then gave an imitation. Now, he continued, if you could get in a touch of nature like that it would be irresistibly ludicrous. Pipes applauded the amendment, rehearsing it several times, until he had mastered it to the President's satisfaction; and I dare say the innovation became a part of all subsequent performances. About this period numerous delegations from various religious bodies and associations thronged the White House. Among the number none met so cordial a reception as that of the Christian Commission, composed of volunteer clergymen who had just returned from the Wilderness battleground. In the brief address by the chairman of the occasion, he stated that the group before the President embraced those who had been first on the field to offer aid and refreshments to the wounded of that terrible series of battles. In reply Mr. Lincoln expressed his appreciation of the self-denying services rendered
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Li. (search)
ppeared that the despatch announcing his renomination had been sent to his office from the War Department--while he was at lunch. Afterward, without going back to the official chamber, he proceeded to the War Department. While there, the telegram came in announcing the nomination of Johnson. What! said he to the operator, do they nominate a Vice-President before they do a President? Why! rejoined the astonished official, have you not heard of your own nomination? It was sent to the White House two hours ago. It is all right, was the reply; I shall probably find it on my return. Laughing pleasantly over this incident, he said, soon afterward,--A very singular occurrence took place the day I was nominated at Chicago, four years ago, of which I am reminded to-night. In the afternoon of the day, returning home from down town, I went up-stairs to Mrs. Lincoln's sitting-room. Feeling somewhat tired, I lay down upon a couch in the room, directly opposite a bureau upon which was
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Lii. (search)
Lii. I have alluded, on a previous page, to the public concerts of the Marine Band,--from the Washington Navy-yard,--given every Saturday afternoon, during the summer, on the grounds in front of the White House; which, on such occasions, were thronged with visitors. The Saturday following the nominations I invited my friend Cropsey, the landscape-painter, from New York,--who, with his wife, was spending a few days in the city,--to come up with Mrs. C. to the studio, which overlooked the ped in the ci-devant rail-splitter and flat-boatman --uncouth and half-civilized as many supposed him — the essential elements of the true gentleman. I was always touched by the President's manner of receiving the salute of the guard at the White House. Whenever he appeared in the portico, on his way to or from the War or Treasury Department, or on any excursion down the avenue, the first glimpse of him was, of course, the signal for the sentinel on duty to present arms. This was always ac
Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, Liii. (search)
Mr. Kellogg said,--Well, Mr. Secretary, the boy is not going to be shot,--of that I give you fair warning! Leaving the War Department, he went directly to the White House, although the hour was late. The sentinel on duty told him that special orders had been issued to admit no one whatever that night. After a long parley, by paid: Perhaps I have done wrong, but at all events I have made that poor woman happy. The Hon. Thaddeus Stevens told me that on one occasion he called at the White House with an elderly lady, in great trouble, whose son had been in the army, but for some offence had been courtmartialled, and sentenced either to death, or imprisocond night following. This brought the time to Wednesday night, and the sentence was to be executed on Thursday. Judge Harris, true to his word, called at the White House at twelve o'clock Wednesday night. The President had retired, but the interview was granted. The point made was that the boy was insane,--thus irresponsible,
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