A Man of the People - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
LINCOLN
Well, I'll not pretend that I didn't understand the seriousness of that hour. The Army _was_ behind you, to a man! I sounded the officers, I sounded the men. They were against me and with you. If the leaders had dared risk their necks on a revolution, they might have won and set up a Dictators.h.i.+p!
McCLELLAN
Just so!
LINCOLN
This power over men which you possess, General McClellan, is a marvelous thing. It is a dangerous force. It can be used to create a Nation, or destroy one. Because you held this power over your men, I honestly believed you were the ablest General in sight, and I called you back to your high position.
McCLELLAN
[_With a smile._]
Very kind!
LINCOLN
You had to win or lose at Antietam. If you had won I was vindicated, and your success would have been mine! But when Lee's army escaped, you lost the power over the imagination of your men, the threat of a Dictators.h.i.+p had pa.s.sed--the supremacy of the civil government was restored, and I removed you from command----
McCLELLAN
[_Angrily._]
I repeat that your act was one of foul injustice!
LINCOLN
[_Cordially._]
All right then. I've given you my side. Granted for the sake of argument that I have treated you unfairly, I'm going to put you to a supreme test. I am going to propose, on a certain condition, to the man whom I have wronged, an amazing thing----
McCLELLAN
Hence the secrecy with which I am summoned!
LINCOLN
Yes. I have just written out on this sheet of paper----
[_Takes up the sheet._]
and addressed to Henry Raymond, Chairman of our National Committee, my resignation as a Candidate for the Presidency for a second term--and I will give it to him to-night, if you will agree to take my place and _save_ the Union?
McCLELLAN
[_Overwhelmed with excitement._]
What-can-you-mean----?
LINCOLN
Exactly what I've said.
McCLELLAN
[_Paces the floor trembling._]
And your conditions----?
LINCOLN
Very simple. Agree to preside to-morrow night at a great Democratic Union Ma.s.s Meeting in New York, and boldly put yourself at the head of that wing of your party which stands for the preservation of the Union----
McCLELLAN
And you----?
LINCOLN
I will withdraw from the race, secure your endors.e.m.e.nt, or prevent my party from naming a successor, take the stump for you and guarantee your election.
McCLELLAN
[_Studies_ LINCOLN _a moment with suspicion._]
You are in earnest----?
LINCOLN
I was never more so.
McCLELLAN
And there is no string to this offer?
LINCOLN
On my word of honor----
[_Dreamily._]
It is needless for me to say that I came into this office with high ambitions to serve my country. My dream of glory may be at an end and I have left only the agony and the tears----
[_He pauses, breathes deeply, and struggles with his emotions, recovers himself, and goes on wistfully._]
I did want a chance to stay here for another term to see the sun s.h.i.+ne again, to heal my country's wounds, and show all the people, North, South, East and West, that I love them. But I can't risk the chances of this election--if you and I can come to a perfect understanding, and you agree to take my place upon the solemn pledge to save the Union without division. I've made up my mind to this, because I have on my desk here a report from our Secret Service----