Behind the Scenes, or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House

Chapter XIII: The Origin of the Rivalry between Mr. Douglas and Mr. Lincoln

[Page 228] CHAPTER XIII. THE ORIGIN OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN MR. DOUGLAS AND MR. LINCOLN. MRS. LINCOLN from her girlhood up had an ambition to become the wife of a President. When a little girl, as I was told by one of her sisters, she was disposed to be a little noisy at times, and was self-willed. One day she was romping about the room, making more noise than the nerves of her grandmother could stand. The old lady looked over her spectacles, and said, in a commanding tone: "Sit down, Mary. Do be quiet. What on [Page 229] earth do you suppose will become of you if you go on this way?" "Oh, I will be the wife of a President some day," carelessly answered the petted child. Mrs. Lincoln, as Miss Mary Todd, was quite a belle in Springfield, Illinois , and from all accounts she was fond of flirting. She generally managed to keep a half-dozen gentlemen biting at the hook that she baited so temptingly for them. The world, if I mistake not, are not aware that the rivalry between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Stephen A. Douglas commenced over the hand of Miss Mary Todd. The young lady was ambitious, and she smiled more sweetly upon Mr. Douglas and Mr. Lincoln than any of her other admirers, as they were regarded as rising men. She played her part so well that neither of the rivals for a long time could tell who would win the day. Mr. Douglas first proposed for her hand, and she discarded him. The young man urged his suit boldly: 104  [Page 230]"Mary, you do not know what you are refusing. You have always had an ambition to become the wife of a President of the United States. Pardon the egotism, but I fear that in refusing my hand to-night you have thrown away your best chance to ever rule in the White House." "I do not understand you, Mr. Douglas." "Then I will speak more plainly. You know, Mary, that I am ambitious like yourself, and something seems to whisper in my ear, ‘You will be President some day.’ Depend upon it, I shall make a stubborn fight to win the proud position." "You have my best wishes, Mr. Douglas; still I cannot consent to be your wife. I shall become Mrs. President, or I am the victim of false prophets, but it will not be as Mrs. Douglas." IhavethislittlechapterinaromantichistoryfromthelipsofMrs.Lincoln herself. [Page 231]At one of the receptions at the White House, shortly after the first inauguration, Mrs. Lincoln joined in the promenade with Senator Douglas. He was holding a bouquet that had been presented to her, and as they moved along he said: "Mary, it reminds me of old times to have you lean upon my arm." "You refer to the days of our youth. I must do you the credit, Mr. Douglas, to say, that you were a gallant beau." "Not only a beau, but a lover. Do you remember the night our flirtation was brought to an end?" "Distinctly. You now see that I was right. I am Mrs. President, but not Mrs. Douglas." "True, you have reached the goal before me, but I do not despair. Mrs. Douglas—a nobler woman does not live—if I am spared, may possibly succeed you as Mrs. President." A few evenings after Mr. Douglas had been discarded, Mr. Lincoln made a formal proposal [Page 232] for the hand of Miss Todd, but it appears that the young lady was not willing to capitulate at once. She believed that she could send her lover adrift to-day and win him back to-morrow. "You are bold, Mr. Lincoln." "Love makes me bold." "You honor me, pardon me, but I cannot consent to be your wife." "Is this your final answer, Miss Todd?" and the suitor rose nervously to his feet.  105 "I do not often jest, Mr. Lincoln. Why should I reconsider to-morrow my decision of to-day." "Excuse me. Your answer is sufficient. I was led to hope that I might become dearer to you than a friend, but the hope, it seems, has proved an idle one. I have the honor to say good night, Miss Todd," and pale, yet calm, Mr. Lincoln bowed himself out of the room. He rushed to his office in a frantic state of mind. Dr. Henry...