A Man of the People Part 21

[_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, G.o.d'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 faces_ RAYMOND _and_ STEVENS, _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 d.a.m.n sight! To h.e.l.l with Stevens!

[LINCOLN _quietly laughs and_ STEVENS _angrily 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!

d.a.m.nation--no----

[RAYMOND _quiets 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!