A Man of the People Part 28

Don't--don't--don't say such foolish things. You need a guardian. You kept three men in your Cabinet who used their position to try to climb into the Presidency over your head. And you didn't kick them out.

LINCOLN

The country needed them.

MRS. LINCOLN

[_With earnest dignity._]

The country needs you--you are the man, and the only man who has the simple common sense to save this Union first, and settle all other questions afterwards----

LINCOLN

That may be so--too----

MRS. LINCOLN

Tell me one thing--is the man who has this appointment at eight the traitor whom Raymond's Committee is trying to put in your place----?

LINCOLN

No! Yet--if there _is_ anywhere a better man who can render the country a greater service than I can, he _ought_ to be in my place----

MRS. LINCOLN

But don't you see that it isn't really the man who can give the greater service who will win in such a treacherous fight? It's the liar and the hypocrite who may win.

LINCOLN

I have no right in such an hour to think of my own ambitions. My personal desire for a second term is the biggest thing in my life, G.o.d knows----

[_He pauses as his voice breaks--he struggles a moment and lifts his hand as if to throw off an obsession with a determined smile._]

And yet, my personal desire is a petty thing! My duty to-day is the _biggest_ thing in the world!

MRS. LINCOLN

You won't take my advice and send these men about their business?

LINCOLN

Mary, I've got to fight this thing out alone, with myself and G.o.d----

MRS. LINCOLN

I sometimes think, Father, that you're the stubbornest man the Lord ever made!

LINCOLN

I've got to be--to do this job----

[MRS. LINCOLN _exits._]

[LINCOLN _paces the floor with his arms locked behind him in tense thought._]

[NICOLAY _enters._]

NICOLAY

The carriage is approaching, sir.

LINCOLN

The coast is clear?

NICOLAY

Yes. Edward has gone----

[_He pauses._]

You, of course, realize, Chief, the importance of a cool head in dealing with McClellan----

LINCOLN

I won't lose my temper, John.

NICOLAY

McClellan may lose his----

LINCOLN

I'll watch out----

[_Looking over his desk._]

That report of Baker's on the Copperhead Societies----

NICOLAY

[_Pointing._]

Under that paper weight, sir----

LINCOLN

Oh, yes, I see----