[She chokes.]
Lincoln
[Taking her hand.]
And what happened to him, my dear?
The Sister
Vell, you see he lif wid me in Pennsylvania—ve are all alone to-gedder—und he lef me und go into der armee—und von bad man he giv him a leetle book vot tell him to desert und go home to his peoples—I haf dot leetle book, Meester Presiden——
[She hands him the book.]
Und my brudder he's such a leetle poy, he read und he tink vot ze book say is so, und he leef ze armee und come home und kiss me und say, "I vill take care of you now, mein seester——"
[Breaks down.]
Und zey come und take heem, und now he is to be shot——
[She chokes.]
[Lincolnreads the title of the little book.]
Lincoln
"Why should Brothers Fight?" "By Richard Vaughan"—an old Copperhead leader I'll warrant!
[Pauses.]
And you came to me, all alone, little girl?
The Sister
Ya—I haf no friens here——
Lincoln
Your Congressman does not know of this?
[Nicolaybegins to make out the pardon.]
The Sister
I do not know ze Congress-man—mein leetle brudder is all I haf——
Lincoln
Alone, friendless—with no Congressman to speak for you! Well, little girl, you don't need anybody to speak for you—you speak for yourself—you're good and honest and love your brother—and by jings, you don't wear hoopskirts—I'm sorry to rile old Stanton again——
[Laughs.]
But I'm going to pardon your brother——!
The Sister
[Seizes and kisses his hand.]
Oh—Meester Presiden—I praise ze good God——
Lincoln
There! There! Now, don't do that, you'll have me crying in a minute and John Nicolay here will see me——
The Sister
Ya! Meester Nicolay—won't mind—he so kind to me too——
[Nicolayhas prepared the pardon and the President signs and hands it to her.]
The Sister
[Seizing the pardon.]
Wiz all my heart!
Lincoln
[ToNicolay.]
Send her to Stanton, and tell him to rush that order to stay the execution. They shall not shoot this poor boy, ignorant of our laws, but if he can find the man who put that little book——
[Holds up book.]
into his hand, advising desertion—I'll hang him on a gallows forty cubits high!
[He lays the booklet on his desk.]
[Nicolaywrites on the back of the pardon.]
The Sister
[Joyfully.]
Mein brudder he vill go back und he vill be von goot poy for you, Meester Presiden——
Lincoln
Yes, I know he will, my child, I know he will. Good-by, and God bless you.
The Sister
Und God bless you, Meester Presiden——!
[Nicolaypauses at the door and gives orders to the doorman.]
Nicolay
Edward, take her to the War Office with this message——
Edward
Yes, sir——
Congressman
I demand to see the President at once——
Nicolay
I can't admit you, Mr. Congressman, just now——
Congressman
[Forcing his way in.]
I demand it, sir——
[Lincolncrosses to the door.]
Lincoln
What is it, John——
Congressman
Mr. President, I have been here three times! I demand the right to see you—to ask the pardon of one of my constituents.
Lincoln
All right! Out with it!
Congressman
He is one of the solid citizens of Massachusetts; a slave trader whose ship has been confiscated. He has spent five years in prison, and cannot pay the heavy fine in money imposed—— He is not a bad man at heart.
Lincoln
And he wantsmeto pardon him—this slave-trader——!
Congressman
I ask it as a matter of justice—he has paid the penalty—five long years in prison——
Lincoln
[Laughs.]
I might pardon a murderer from old Massachusetts, she's done glorious service in this war—but a man who can make a business of going to Africa and robbing her of helpless men, women and children and selling them into bondage——!
[He pauses and stiffens.]
—before that man can have liberty by any act of mine, he can stay in jail and rot!
Nicolay
[To the Congressman.]
Now, you've got it——!
Congressman
[Crestfallen.]
Yes—I heard it——
Lincoln
[Turning back to his desk, and examining his papers.]
Good—— Bring in the next one, John!
[AsNicolayexits with the Congressman who continues to talk in loud tones, a sweet little girl of twelve slips by and reaches the President's desk unannounced. The President has taken his seat and is writing. While the President continues to write, the little girl slips close and watches him wistfully. He lifts his head, sees her, and smiles.]
Why, what a wee girl—and you got in here all by yourself——?
Virginia
I slipped in when no one was looking——
Lincoln
Did you? What did you do that for?
Virginia
I was afraid they wouldn't let me in, if they knew what I wanted——
Lincoln
[Tenderly.]
And whatdoyou want?
Virginia
If you please, sir—a pass to go through the lines to Virginia—my brother's there—he was shot in the last battle—and I want to see him.
Lincoln
Of course, you do—and you shall too.
[He seizes his pen, writes a pass and hands it to her.]
Virginia
[Breathlessly.]
Oh, thank you—thank you!
Lincoln
[Casually placing his hand on her head.]
Of course, you're loyal——?
[Virginia'slips quiver, she hesitates, looks up into his face through dimmed eyes, and her slender body stiffens as she slowly speaks.]
Virginia
Yes—loyal—with all my heart—to Virginia!
[The trembling little fingers hand the pass back as the tears roll down her cheeks.Lincolnlooks away to hide from her his own emotion, stoops and takes her hand in his. His voice is low and tender and full of feeling.]
Lincoln
I know what it cost you to say that, child. You're a brave little girl! And I'll love you always for this glimpse you've given me of a great spirit and a great people. That's why I can't let the South go—— They can't leave this Union. We need them—— Now I can trust you——?
Virginia
[Eagerly.]
Yes, sir!
[Nicolayenters with a young mother and baby and hesitates at sight of the little girl.]
Lincoln
Come on in, John—it's all right. I'm about through with this young lady——
[Nicolaybrings the young mother to the desk andLincolntakesVirginiadown stage.]
Come down here, dear, so old man Nicolay can't hear us—he mightn't understand.
[He sits on a chair and draws the girl close.]
You see, I understand you—and can trust you implicitly. Now if I give you back this and let you go—will you promise me that no word shall pass your lips of what you've seen inside our lines?
Virginia
Oh, yes—I promise——!
Lincoln
[Handing her the pass.]
May God speed the day, child, when your people and mine shall no longer be enemies——
Virginia
Thank you, sir!
Lincoln
Run now!
[Virginiaexits. At the door she throws him a kiss.]
[Lincolncomes quickly to the mother and greets her cheerily.]
Well, little mother, what's the matter?
[She hesitates and appeals toNicolay.]
Nicolay
Tell him yourself——
The Mother
[Trembling.]
If you please, sir, we ain't been married but a little over a year, and my husband's never seen the baby——
Lincoln
That's too bad——
The Mother
He's in the army and I couldn't stand it any longer—so I came down to Washington to get a pass to take the baby to him. But he wouldn't let me have it at the War Office——
Lincoln
[Laughs.]
I'll bet old Mars wouldn't—Phew!
[Pauses and turns toNicolay.]
What do you say. John—let's send her down?
Nicolay
The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more women to go to the front——
Lincoln
Humph——! Well, I'll tell you what wecando—give her husband a leave of absence, and lethimcome up here to seethem!
The Mother
[Laughing and crying.]
You don't mind my laughing, do you? I just can't help it—I can't stop! I can't stop laughing!
Lincoln
Laugh and cry as much as you please—but tell me where are you stopping?
The Mother
Nowhere yet, sir——
Lincoln
How's that?
The Mother
I went straight from the depot to the War Office and then I just walked the street blind with crying till I made up my mind to come here.
Lincoln
We'll fix that then! Nicolay will write you an order that will take you and your baby to a good hospital and care for you till your husband comes—and fix it sohecan stay here a week with you——
The Mother
[Laughs.]
I just can't thank you! I'm so happy, all I can do is to laugh!
Lincoln
Laugh on, little mother—and off with you now—clear out!
[The mother goes out laughing.]
[Nicolayshows the little mother out and returns toLincoln.]
Nicolay
The deputation of colored men whom you asked to come this morning are waiting, sir—will you see them now?
Lincoln
At once——
[Lincolnturns to his desk and takes up a document containing his plan of Colonization and examines it asNicolayand three well-dressed colored men enter. They are typical Africans.]
First Negro
[Bowing deferentially.]
Mr. President——!
Second Negro
[Tenderly.]
OurFather Abraham——
Third Negro
[With religious feeling.]
We salute our Savior!
Lincoln
Welcome, my friends. I have sent for you this morning to place in your hands a copy of my plan for colonization and to ask your help——
First Negro
Yes, sir——
[The ebony faces with their cream white teeth showing in smiles and their wide rolling eyes make a striking contrast to the rugged face and poise of the President.]
Lincoln
Your race is suffering, in my judgment, the greatest wrong inflicted on any people. But even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from being placed on an equality with the white race. On this broad continent, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours——
First Negro
It's so—yes, it's so——!
Lincoln
Go where you are treated best and the ban is still upon you. I cannot alter it if I would. It is better for us both, therefore, to be separated. For the sake of your people you should sacrifice something of your present comfort.
First Negro
Let our great leader show us the way——
Lincoln
The Colony of Liberia is an old one, and it is open to you. I am now arranging to open another in Central America. You are intelligent and know that success does not so much depend on external help as on self-reliance. If you will engage in the enterprise I will spend the money Congress has entrusted to me for this purpose. I ask you to consider it seriously, not for yourselves merely, nor for your race and ours for the present time, BUT FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND.
First Negro
We will, sir——!
Lincoln
The practical thing I want to ascertain is whether I can get a number of able-bodied men with their wives and children to go at once—men who "can cut their own fodder" so to speak——? Take this plan, show it to your people——
[Hands the document to the First Negro.]
—and find this out for me——
First Negro
We'll do our best——
Third Negro
[Bowing out with religious ecstasy.]
Praise God forever for our Savior-Leader——!
[Nicolayushers out the three Negroes and shows in a stately black-robed figure in mourning for her dead. She walks quietly to the President and extends her hand with a gracious smile.]
The Woman
Perhaps I've done wrong to take up your time——
Lincoln
My time belongs to the people, Madam——
The Woman
I've come to you, Mr. President, under an impulse I could not resist. Mr. Stoddard, your third Secretary, is my friend. He told me this morning that all night the sound of your footfall came from this room. He heard it at nine, at ten, at eleven. At midnight the Secretary of War left the door ajar and the steady tramp came with heavier sound. The last thing he heard at three was the muffled beat upstairs. The guard said it had not stopped at daylight. I saw you staggering alone under a Nation's sorrow and I wondered if you had been given the vision to see the dawn of a new life for our people. I know I'm looking into the eyes of the man whose word can stop this war and divide the Union—I have come to tell you that I lost my first born son at Fredericksburg—a lad of twenty——
[She pauses andLincolnbends and presses her hand.]
May God help you in your trials, Mr. President, as he has helped me in mine——
Lincoln
[Startled.]
You lost your first born at Fredericksburg and come to say this to me?
The Woman
And I've been praying for you, day and night since——
Lincoln
[Softly.]
Will you say that again, Madam——
The Woman
I have been praying for you, day and night, and I've come this morning to bring you this message—Be strong and courageous, and God will bring the Nation through!
Lincoln
You say this to me—standing beside the grave of your son?
The Woman
And beside the cot of my other boy of sixteen who was dangerously wounded in General Grant's last battle. I am proud of two such sons to lay on the altar of my country. Ihadto tell you that I'm praying for you.
[Lincolncloses both hands over hers and holds them a moment in silence.]
Lincoln
[With upward gaze.]
How strange that you should come to me in this black hour with such a message. I've often wondered if the soul of my mother were not speaking to me! The day she died in the woods of Indiana, she told me that if dark hours came, her spirit would be watching, and she'd help me if she could! While you were talking to me—I got the tremor of her voice and the quiver of her lips—how strange!
[Looking down into her face.]
Thank you, Madam! You have brought me medicine for both body and soul.
[Lincolnpresses her hand again and she quietly goes as he gazes after her.]
[Nicolaystarts to follow her to the door—Lincolnlifts his hand.]
John, I'm rested now—I'm ready for any work——!
Nicolay
The National Committee have just arrived, sir.
Lincoln
All right—let them in!
[Lincolnresumes his place beside his desk and the Committee headed byHenry Raymond,Editor of the New York Times, enter and solemnly range themselves about the President.]
[ToHenry Raymond—taking his hand formally.]
Raymond, this is an unexpected honor you and your Committee do me. I thought you were at your desk in theTimesoffice pouring hot shot into the flanks of our enemies, and the boys were all at home fighting for the victory that must be ours on the first Tuesday in November. Not that you're unwelcome. You are the leaders of public opinion. The people rule this country, and I am their servant—what is it——?
Raymond
You may be sure, Mr. President, that our mission is of the gravest importance. These gentlemen have brought such startling reports from their several states as to the bitterness and closeness of the fight, that they have reached a unanimous conclusion——
Lincoln
And that is——?
Raymond
That with your personality and record against General McClellan's, your Democratic opponent—the election for us is lost.
Lincoln
Your statement is blunt. But, as I have been renominated for a second term, my administration has been endorsed by our party, and the election is only eight weeks off—there is but one conclusion possible—and that is, that you should roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Raymond
The National Committee, Mr. President, has reached a different conclusion——
Lincoln
Yes——?
Raymond
In view of your unpopularity, in view of the criticism of your policies, and your conduct of the war—they have decided to ask you to withdraw from the ticket and permit them to name a new candidate——
Lincoln
[Springing to his feet.]
What——!
Raymond
Ihavestated it bluntly——
Lincoln
And this is your unanimous verdict, gentlemen——?
All
Yes.
Lincoln
[Paces the floor a moment and then faces the Committee.]
It surpasses human belief! Future generations will hold it incredible—that you, my party leaders, should heap this insult upon the man who led you to your first and only victory. That you should come here to-day to ask me to quit under fire, to sacrifice without a blow all I hold worth fighting for on this earth——!
Raymond
The Committee made their request solely on the ground of patriotic duty—and ask you for the sacrifice upon the same grounds. They have found it impossible to defend your policies——
Lincoln
[Brusquely.]
What policies?
Raymond
Understand me, Mr. President—I am telling you the conclusion of this Committee——
Lincoln
All right, Raymond—fire away—spare me the oratory, please—just give me the plain reasons, one at a time, why you wish me to get off the ticket——
Raymond
The first policy found indefensible has been your handling of the border slave states of Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri. You have not yet declared the slaves free in these states, the only ones in which you actually have the power to do so—at all.
Lincoln
The first policy of my Administration has been to save for the Union the great border states—for the simple reason—with these border slave states, we have such a balance of power that the Unionmaybe saved! Without these states, the Unioncannotbe saved! Therefore in my Proclamation of Emancipation, I purposely did not raise the question of the right or wrong of slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. But the Constitution of the United States, which I have sworn to uphold in the border states of Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, guarantees to their people the right to hold slaves if they choose.
Raymond
But why pat on the back the slaveholder of Maryland and strike at the slaveholder of South Carolina?
Lincoln
Because Maryland is loyal to the Union, and South Carolina is fighting it. My Proclamation was not a sermon on the rights of man—black or white. It was an act of war—a blow aimed at the heart of the seceding South to break its wealth and power, end the war, and save the Union. I know the spell ofState loyaltyin the South, gentlemen. I was born there. Many a mother in Richmond wept the day our flag fell from their Capitol. But they brushed their tears away and sent their sons to the front the next day, to fight that flag—in the name of Virginia! So would thousands of mothers in these border slave states, if I put them to the test. In God's own time slavery will be destroyed. I have saved these states for our cause by conciliation and compromise. I will not apologize for this act.
[He lifts his hand to stop interruption.]
My paramount object is to save the Union, and not, either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union, without freeing a slave, I would do it. And if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it. And if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe ithelps to save this Union!
[Pauses and faces his accusers.]
I'll test this question right here—will the three Committeemen from Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland stand up for a minute?
[The three Committeemen rise.]
Will the gentleman from Kentucky tell me what would have been the effect if I had included his state in my proclamation freeing the slaves——?
The Kentucky Committeeman
The state would have seceded from the Union, sir.
Lincoln
Just so, and in Missouri?
The Missouri Committeeman
The Legislature would have joined the Confederacy within twenty-four hours.
Lincoln
And Maryland——?
The Maryland Committeeman
Maryland would have promptly cut the railroads leading into Washington, isolated the Capital and joined the South.
Lincoln
And with the loss of our Capital, Europe, eager to strike, would have recognized the Confederacy, would they not?
The Maryland Committeeman
Undoubtedly, sir——
Lincoln
So I hold——
The Maryland Committeeman
Our State believed you when you said in your Inaugural: "I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists!"
Lincoln
Then you three gentlemen, at least, are with me on this issue?
All Three
Yes—! Yes—! Yes—!
Lincoln
I thought so——
[To Raymond.]
What next?
Raymond
Your plan tocolonizethe Negro race as expressed in your Proclamation of Emancipation and in the bill which you have had passed through Congress has hurt your best friends——
Lincoln
And why should it? My views on that subject were known to all men before you nominated me first in Chicago, four years ago. I said then that I believed there is a sharp physical difference between the white and black races, and I have always linked colonization with freedom. The Negro cannot remain in a free democracy unless we absorb him into our social and political life. Therefore, we must colonize him. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to future generations—above all, we owe it to the Negro himself. He was brought here by cruel force. At our own expense, therefore, we should return him to the home of his fathers, and build there a free republic for his children. We should give him our language and our ideals, and we should give him millions of our money, until he can stand alone. We must face this problem squarely now.
Raymond
Yet you compromise on other issues.
Lincoln
Only because I must to save the Union. Trim and hedge onthisissue, and future generations will feel their way back to it through blood and tears. I have always held that the happiness and progress of this Union of Free Democratic States will be secure only in the separation of the white and black races, and I will not eat my words!——
[Pauses.]
—the next charge in your bill of indictment, gentlemen?
Raymond
I now present the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, leader of Congress, the representative of the radical wing of our party, who have split our organization by nominating another candidate for President—Mr. Stevens will give their views.
Stevens
[Pompously to the Committee.]
The radical wing of the party, gentlemen, has been the only creative force within it—and is the only thing that gives it an excuse for being to-day.
Lincoln
[Firmly.]
Which means that you think that I am superfluous and always have been—I thank you—proceed!
Stevens
We denounce first your policy of reconstruction in the South as weak and vacillating—a civil and military failure. As the army advances, the South should be held as conquered soil, its civilization torn up by the roots, the property of the Southern white people confiscated and given to the negroes. The ballot must be taken from the whites and given to their slaves. We demand this just vengeance and we will be content with nothing less!
Lincoln
Stevens, I greet with shame your demands! Surely the vastness of this war, its grim battles, its heroism, its anguish, its sublime earnestness, should sink all schemes of revenge. Before the grandeur of its simple story our children will walk with uncovered heads. Conquered soil! The South has never been out of this Union. Secession was null and void from the beginning. I say to the South now, as I have always said: "Come back home! You can have peace at any moment, by simply laying down your arms and submitting to the National Authority." When the South lies crushed at our feet, God's vengeance shall be enough.
Stevens
The life of our party, sir, demands that the Negro be given the ballot and made the ruler of the South. This is not vengeance. It is justice—it is patriotism.
Lincoln
The Nation cannot be healed until the South is healed. Let the gulf be closed in which we bury strifes and hatreds. The good sense of our people will never consent to your scheme of vengeance.
Stevens
The people have no sense! And a new fool is born every second.
Lincoln
I have an abiding faith in their honesty and good purpose. I have trusted the people before, and they have not failed me.
Stevens
Bah——!
Lincoln
I can't tell you, Stevens, how your venomous plans sicken me. I'd rather work with you than fight you, if it's possible. But the line is drawn now—we've got to fight—and I'm not afraid of you.
Stevens
You had better listen——
Lincoln
I'll suffer my right arm to be severed from my body before I'll sign one measure of revenge on a brave, fallen foe!
Stevens
I have always known you had a sneaking admiration for the South!
Lincoln
I love the South—it is a part of this Union! And when the curse of slavery is lifted, it should be the garden spot of the world—I love every foot of its soil—every hill and valley, and every man, woman and child in it. I am an American!
Stevens
The kind of an American that makes the election of your opponent, General George B. McClellan, a certainty——
Lincoln
Well, who would you put in my place?
[He facesRaymondandStevens,and dead silence follows.]
Come on—out with his name——!
[They remain silent.]
You can't name him? Let me try to nominate him for you—— On a platform of proscription and revenge, the hanging of rebel leaders, the confiscation of the property of the white people of the South and its bestowment upon the negroes, the taking of the ballot from the whites and setting their slaves to rule over them—on this program I resign as your candidate and nominate for President, the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens——
The Committee
[In a wild uproar.]
No! No! No! Not by a damn sight! To hell with Stevens!
[Lincolnquietly laughs andStevensangrily lifts his hand to quiet them.]
Stevens
Now that you've had your joke—let me remind you that the radical wing of the Republican Party has already named General John C. Fremont against you——
Lincoln
[To the Committee.]
What say you, gentlemen——? Shall I resign in favor of the bolter who attempted to dictate to you your platform and your candidate before your convention met? Do you ask me to resign in favor of General Fremont?
The Committee
No! No! Down with the bolter! To the devil with Fremont. No! No! No! Damnation—no——
[Raymondquiets the uproar.]
Stevens
I am not asking you to nominate Fremont. We split the party and named Fremont because we wouldn't have you. Get off the ticket and we will withdraw Fremont and put up a man who can be elected! Whatever the chances of General Fremont at this moment the election of McClellan on a Democratic Copperhead Platform is conceded by your own party councils. McClellan is even now choosing his Cabinet——
Lincoln
They say it is not wise to count chickens before they're hatched—we still have our chance!
Stevens
You have no chance! You havealreadybeen weighed and found wanting! In the Congressional election, what happened?—your majorities were wiped out. Maine cut you down from nineteen thousand to four! The Democrats swept Ohio. Indiana deserted us. In Pennsylvania even, we lost by four thousand. New York elected Horatio Seymour against us. New Jersey turned you down. Wisconsin was a tie. In your own state of Illinois, the Democrats won by seventeen thousand——!
Lincoln
Even so, Stevens—the ballots inthiselection have not yet been counted! My faith in the ultimate good sense of the people is unshaken. You can fool some of the people all the time. You can fool all of the people sometimes. But you can't fool all the people all the time!
Stevens
That's why we ask you to get off the ticket! You are to-day the most unpopular man who ever sat in the Presidential chair. For the first time in our history the effigy of a living President—your effigy—has been publicly burned in the streets of American towns and cities, amid the curses and jeers of the men who elected you! Your administration is a failure—your conduct of the war a series of blunders——
Lincoln
[Brusquely.]
For example——
Stevens
[Furiously.]
For one thing—you have never yet chosen a successful General. The South has not changed Commanders since Jeff Davis appointed Robert E. Lee. In thirty days of the last campaign in a series of massacres, Lee has killed and wounded sixty-two thousand of our men—more than he himself commanded—and Grant has only reached the point where McClellan stood in 1862. He could have marched there by McClellan's old line without the loss of a man. Washington is piled with the wounded, the dying and the dead. Your mail is choked with letters demanding the removal of this butcher as our Commander, and you refuse—why?
Lincoln
[Smiling calmly.]
Well, now that you'vereallylet off steam, I think you'll feel better, Stevens——!
Stevens
I demand, sir, an answer to my question—why have you not removed Grant?
Lincoln
[Quickly.]
Because I can't spare him! He is the one General we have developed who knows how to fight—his business is not to reach any particular spot where McClellan stood. McClellan was generallystandingsomewhere—he was a great engineer—of the stationary type—— Grant is a fighter. His business is to find and destroy Lee's army—and his sledge hammer blows are winning this war!
Stevens
Winning—is he? And yet Lee sends a division under Jubal Early and reconquers the Valley of Virginia—invades Maryland and Pennsylvania, throws his shells into Washington and burns the home of one of your Cabinet——
Lincoln
And if old Jubal Early had been a littleearlier, he would have burned Washington, too—but thank God, Grant got here in time—didn't he? What have you got to say to that?
Stevens
That Lee's strategy has been superb, his moral victory complete! He holds Grant by the throat while he invades the North, andshellsour Capitol—a feat that not one of your generals has yet done for Richmond in four years—and still you cling to Grant——!
Lincoln
[Angrily.]
Now, I'm going to talk plain English to you, Stevens. You're an Abolitionist, and you can't do Grant justice. Your crowd demanded his removal after the battle of Shiloh—and you made it so hot for me then, I had to appoint General Halleck his superior, to save him for the country. You can't forget that Grant is a Democrat, and therefore he may vote for McClellan against our party, in this election!
Stevens
I've heard that heisfor McClellan.
Lincoln
Exactly! And you can't forget that his wife is a Southern woman whose dowry was in Slaves, and therefore at this moment, Grant is constructively a slaveholder, whose slaves I have not freed——
Stevens
I protest——
Lincoln
It's no use—I know the process of your mind—I can see the wheels go round inside! You tell me that the star of Grant has set in a welter of blood before Lee's army. I do not believe it. I know that miles of hospital barracks are the witnesses of our agony. I know that every city, town and village is in mourning. From these stricken homes there has arisen a storm of protest against the new leader of the army. The word butcher is bandied from lip to lip. They tell me that Grant is merely a bulldog fighter—that he can win only as long as thousands are poured into his ranks to take the place of the dead—They tell me that he has no genius, no strategy, no skill. My reply to this is simple but unanswerable. We must fight to win. Grant is the ablest general we have developed. His losses are appalling—but the struggle is on now to the bitter end! Our resources are exhaustless. The South cannot replaceherfallen soldiers—and thereforeherlosses are fatal! If we continue to fight, five millions cannot whip twenty millions—the end is certain—and we're now locked in the last death grapple before—VICTORY!
Stevens
It's a waste of time to talk——!
Lincoln
I've thought so from the first, but I've tried to be polite——
Stevens
[Trying to go.]
Good day, sir——!
Lincoln
[Cordially.]
Good day, Stevens——
[Pauses.]
You know this meeting reminds me of what happened in Illinois once——
Stevens
[Throwing up his hands in anger.]
I won't hear it, sir! You and your stories are sending this country to hell—it's not more than a mile from there now!
Lincoln
I believe itisjust a mile from here to the Capitol where you sit!
Stevens
[Going in rage.]
Damnation!
[Stevensgoes muttering furiously.]
Raymond
You will consider our request, Mr. President?
Lincoln
Raymond, this is the most brutal insult ever offered to a man in my position in the history of this country. I'm going to waive the insult and give your request my earnest thought. If I can save the Union—that's the only question—that's the only question!
Raymond
You will give us your answer to-day?
Lincoln
[Firmly.]
No. I must have time to think. As I've listened to you, the conviction grows on me that the life of the Unionmaybe bound with mine now, and I'm not going to give up—without a fight.
Raymond
[Brusquely.]
We cannot leave Washingtonwithout your answer, Mr. President.
Lincoln
You'll get it in due time.
Raymond
The time is short——
Lincoln
It may be long enough yet, to save the Nation——
Raymond
[Firmly.]
The Committeemusttake definite action before we leave—we will give you ten days to decide——
Lincoln
I understand. Good day, gentlemen!
All
[Bowing out.]
Good day, Mr. President.
[Lincolnstands erect, withNicolaywatching them go in silence. When the last man is gone, he turns toNicolay.]
Lincoln
It's infamous, John! Infamous!
[Mrs. Lincolnenters hurriedly.]
Don't tell her the nasty things old Thad said to me. It will hurt her.
Nicolay
Of course not.
Mrs. Lincoln
[Tensely.]
What is it, Father—what did they say?
[He pauses and she presses him tremblingly.]
What did they say? What did they say?
Lincoln
[With dreamy look.]
They told me in plain English that I am the most unpopular man in the United States—that my conduct of the war is a series of blunders, my administration a failure!
Mrs. Lincoln
[Relieved.]
Oh!—isthatall!
Lincoln
What more——?
Mrs. Lincoln
I thought they had something important to tell you——
Lincoln
[Laughs.]
Oh!——
Mrs. Lincoln
That is of no importance, because it's a lie——
Lincoln
But, if they believe it, and millions of people believe it——
Mrs. Lincoln
Well, they won't. I've something important to ask of you—Betty Winter's in my room and wants to bring her lover here to see you alone for an hour to-night——
Lincoln
I'll see Miss Betty Winter any time—she is my good friend—make it nine o'clock.
Mrs. Lincoln
[Going.]
At nine—don't forget now!
Lincoln
I'll not——
[Mrs. Lincolnexits.]
John, is General McClellan at home?
Nicolay
I saw him to-day, sir.
Lincoln
Go to his house immediately and tell him I want to see him here at eight o'clock to-night. Say that it's a matter of the gravest importance—both to him and to the country—he can't refuse.
Nicolay
Yes, sir.
Lincoln
Say to General McClellan that I would come to him but for the fact that it would attract attention which I wish to avoid. It will be the best for both that this meeting should not be known. Ask him to come in a closed carriage. Assure him that you will meet him at the door and he will see no one but me——
Nicolay
You can't take me into your confidence, Chief?
Lincoln
[Pauses.]
Partly—I'm going to put McClellan to the supreme test, John. If he will make me one pledge on the Copperhead issue which I will ask of him, I'll name for this Committee a candidate they're not looking for—I'll give them the surprise of their life—so help me God!
Nicolay
I don't think the General will give that pledge, sir.
Lincoln
[Gazing upward and folding his arms.]
I wonder!—I wonder if he will!
[Nicolayexits.]
I wonder if he will——
CURTAIN