April 14, 1865: why did the Lincolns have guests?

[RJNorton]

(06-21-2015 08:44 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  I've often wondered why the Lincolns were in such a fever to drum up guests for that fateful night.

Why not have decided to simply attend alone? Why was a group party preferable?

We know (I think) that Stanton did not want Lincoln going to the theater that night as he thought it was too dangerous. Stanton apparently indicated his fears to Grant. Eckert also knew of Stanton's opposition to the theater party and therefore declined Lincoln's invitation (as a way of "hinting" to Lincoln it was too dangerous for him to go). So did Mary Lincoln know of Stanton's fears? Perhaps she did, and that is why the invitation was extended to Henry and Clara? (so the Lincolns wouldn't be alone; also maybe Mary had her own fears about the couple being alone?)