Whatever Happened To...

[Eva Elisabeth]

(07-22-2014 07:45 PM)L Verge Wrote:  The author cites numerous occasions where Mrs. Lincoln entertained guests or the whole family served dinner to visitors.

This and the neighbor's wine reminded me of two of my favorite accounts/stories.

Admittedly, Lincoln was an avowed teetotaler. The same goes for me for exactly the same reasons: according to John Hay, A. L. "drank nothing but water – not from principle, but because he did not like wine or spirits." I was glad to learn I'm not the only one!!! (My "spirit(s)" is coffee - I'm an avowed coffee-total-er! Simply don't like the taste of wine & co, can't swallow it...don't even like the smell.) My impression is that in our (German at least) society it's sometimes quite difficult to socialize without drinking alcohol, especially at younger age. I was once even not in- but ex-vited by a friend because taking part in high%drinking was expected at her "cocktail evening".

1. Albert Beveridge recalled the following dialogue between Lincoln and Stephen Douglas: At a reception hosting Douglas during the congressional campaigns of 1854, Lincoln declined a drink, whereupon Douglas exclaimed: "Why! are you a member of the Temperance Society?" Lincoln replied: "No! I am not a member of any Temperance Society ... but I am temperate in this, that I don't drink anything."

2. When hearing that Lincoln only served "Adam's ale" (cold water) to the committee (headed by George Ashmun, on May 19, 1860) notifying him of his nomination as presidential candidate of the Republican Party, a journalist and temperance advocate inquired of Lincoln's temperance sentiments. In a letter, Lincoln stated: "Having kept house sixteen years, and having never held the 'cup' to the lips of my friends then, my judgment was that I should not, in my new position, change my habit in this respect." (Very firm attitude!)

D. Donald added the remark to the second story that right before this visit, the Lincolns had a struggle over whether liquor should be served to the visitors.

What about his New Salem times?