38 / 40
Page 38
2016 Home For the Holidays
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 23, 2016
When Lincoln assumed the presidency in March 1861,
the threat of a civil war hung heavy, and in a few short
weeks, the nation would become embroiled in the
four-year conflict. Christmas Day for the duration
of his presidency was devoted to a full day’s work
with little attention to gaiety, but President and Mrs.
Lincoln did gain a little reprieve to host Christmas
dinners for invited guests and friends from Kentucky
or Illinois.
There was no White House Christmas tree yet, as it
would be President Benjamin Harrison who in 1889
brought the first such tree on display in the Oval
Room. As with most homes in America, the White
House was adorned simply with red bows, fresh
greens and dried fruit.
Turkey was a favorite mainstay for
Christmas dinners, and in1863, ten
year-old Tad pleaded with his father
to not have a turkey named Jack
killed for Christmas dinner because
Tad considered Jack his pet. The
President wrote a formal pardon, saving the life of the
turkey.
As president, Lincoln continued a New Year’s Day
White House tradition instituted ever since Thomas
Jefferson in 1801: that of opening the president’s
house and personally greeting visitors. Everyone from
foreign ministers, congressional members, Supreme
Court, officers of the Army and Navy, to the general
public, all swarmed the Executive Mansion awaiting
their chance to gaze upon the tall president and his
wife in the Blue Room, and to observe the new
furnishings which Mrs. Lincoln purchased that year.
The event drew thousands.
A newspaper on one New Year’s Day reported, “The
President received all with the greatest cordiality,
and took each individual by the hand. . . . In order to
prevent the handsome carpets . . . from being soiled
by the mud and dirt . . . canvas was spread over them.
. . . many pressed so determinedly to gain admittance
that several ladies and children were nearly suffocated,
and in some instances ladies and children were raised
CONTINUED ►►