Lincoln, the unknown

204 • LINCOLN THE UNKNOWNShe loathed Stanton, and when he criticized her, she "wouldreturn the compliment by sending him books and clippings describinghim as an irascible and disagreeable personality."To all these bitter condemnations, Lincoln would say:"Mother, you are mistaken; your prejudices are so violentyou do not stop to reason. If I listened to you, I should soonbe without a cabinet."She disliked Andrew Johnson intensely; she hated McClellan;she despised Grant, calling him "an obstinate fool and abutcher," declaring that she could handle an army better thanhe could, and frequently vowing that if he were ever madePresident, she would leave the country and never come backto it as long as he was in the White House."Well, Mother," Lincoln would say, "supposing that we giveyou command of the army. No doubt you would do much betterthan any general that has been tried."After Lee surrendered, Mr. and Mrs. Grant came to Washington.The town was a blaze of light: crowds were makingmerry with songs and bonfires and revelry; so Mrs. Lincolnwrote the general, inviting him to drive about the streets withher and the President "to see the illumination."But she did not invite Mrs. Grant.A few nights later, however, she arranged a theater party andinvited Mr. and Mrs. Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Stanton to sitin the President's box.As soon as Mrs. Stanton received the invitation, she hurriedover to Mrs. Grant, to inquire if she were going."Unless you accept the invitation," said Mrs. Stanton, "Ishall refuse. I will not sit in the box with Mrs. Lincoln unlessyou are there too."Mrs. Grant was afraid to accept.She knew that if the general entered the box, the audiencewould be sure to greet the "hero of Appomattox" with a salvoof applause.And then what would Mrs. Lincoln do? There was no telling.She might create another disgraceful and mortifying scene.Mrs. Grant refused the invitation, and so did Mrs. Stanton;and by refusing, they may have saved the lives of their husbands,for that night Booth crept into the President's box andshot Lincoln; and if Stanton and Grant had been there, hemight have tried to kill them also.