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From the Christian Messenger.The First Ball at the White HouseThe first ball at the White IIousc, so the country are informed, came off at Washington on Wednesday evening of last week. The entire number of distinguished gents is reported to have been about five hundred. Wo are told that this ball was a spirited device of Mrs. Lincoln to outshine 1 the brilliant society and gayety of liichmond,1 and exhibit a court that will ‘ cast in the shade that of their bogus president.’Influenced by these considerations, the reception rooms of the White House were brilliantly illuminated, and at nine o’clock the distinguished guests began to arrive. Mrs. Lincoln received the company with graceful courtesy. She was dressed in a magnificent whith satin robe.About twelve o’clock the supper-room was thrown open, and exhibited one of the finest displays of gastronomic art ever seen in this country ; a temple of liberty, a fort and war steamer, admirably moulded in candy, and a ton of turkeys, ducks, venison, pheasants, partridges, Ac., all exquisitely prepared by Maillard of New York at a cost of thousands of dollars.ft pains us to read that the first ball at the mansion oi our president should be held at such a period as this in our national history. We are rapidly approaching a crisis and a darker cloud never threw its porten-tious shadows over us, since the organization of our government. It is a cloud not to be dissipated by music and dancing. Fasting and prayer would be much more appropriate at such a period as this. The finances of the country are embarasscd. Wo arc told that our treasury is tedueed to the last dollar— that we must submit to heavy taxations, and that the most rigid economy should be exercised by all, under such circumstances we regard it as unfortunate that the presidential mansion should bo the scene of extravegance and display. Tliousands wore wasted in the brilliant exhibitions ol a courtly ball.— While those scenes were being enacted at Washington our country was bleeding. ‘ That same nigh; the hunted Unionist in our bloody border-land stole in secret from his den, and, aided by ihe glimmering moonlight, looked once more upon the ashes of what was once his happy home. That same night wounded volunteers died in the hospitals for want of and comfort, and our noblest sons and brothers pined in the loathsome horrors of a southern prison, and sighed hopelessly for release; svhrle on our western frontiers, the houseless motuer clasped her starving babe, and the prarie wolf gnawed ravenously the bones of the ioyal dead.’ That same night many fervent prayers were offered to God for pardon and mercy for our distressed and imperiled country, and imploring looks were east towards the eapitol, hoping that its assembled wisdom, and duly invested authority might iutioduce some active and cilicicnt measures to give relief and prosperity to the nation. And now wc hear that something has been accomplished—they have Lad a spleudid bull at the White House ! It is certainly no time lor mirth or among those who in this great country now bear the pillars of state. A crushing weight of responsibility is rcstiug upon them and may God help them faithfully to discharge the momentous duties of this hour.wt frc tin an Gc ha bu yei wc of in los 0111 fee is . mu u n fro the ret; fro fur voc ninsiasenpul t s tha in a amchi* aTiceoi sla i bai%erededoJusinslitsicgoila)bnThe Hlppnincr Al’«cotCIDpiluqtheyetiCofietheun:disgettinMi
Newspaper Details
Montpelier Daily Green Mountain Freeman
Montpelier, Vermont, US
Thu, Feb 13, 1862
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
DC, USA 11 Mar 2024
Other Publications Near Montpelier, Vermont
The Vermont Watchman
Montpelier Vermont Freeman
Montpelier State Journal
Montpelier Daily Green Mountain Freeman
Montpelier Vermont Watchman and State Journal
