A Man of the People Part 29

[_Picks up report, glances at it, and lays it back on his desk._]

I'm ready--bring him in. See that we are not interrupted, and when he goes, I'll not need you any more to-night. I'll let in the young people myself, at nine o'clock.

NICOLAY

Yes, sir.

[NICOLAY _exits and_ LINCOLN _returns to his desk and writes._]

[NICOLAY _enters with_ GENERAL MCCLELLAN. _The General is thirty-eight years old, dressed in a uniform of immaculate cut, flas.h.i.+ng with gold. While his figure is short and stocky, in striking contrast to the President, he is a man of commanding appearance, and gives one the impression of a born leader of men.

He enters with quick military precision and salutes with studied formality the President as his superior officer. The President answers his salute, as_ NICOLAY _exits._]

LINCOLN

I suggest, General McClellan, that we forget for the moment that I am the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy--and we have a little heart to heart talk in a perfectly informal way----

McCLELLAN

[_Stiffening._]

May I enquire, Mr. President, at once, to what I owe this extraordinary summons?

LINCOLN

[_Cordially._]

Will you be seated, General----?

McCLELLAN

Thank you, I prefer to stand.

[_Angrily._]

What right have you to send for me or ask anything, after the foul injustice with which you have treated me as Commanding General----

LINCOLN

[_Interrupting._]

Just a moment--I have not treated you with injustice--I have treated you with more than justice. I have treated you with the generous faith and love of a father for a wayward boy----

McCLELLAN

Really!

LINCOLN

I have. When I appointed you to the chief command of our Army, you were but thirty-four years old. I did it against the bitterest opposition of my party leaders. They told me you were a pro-Slavery Democrat--a political meddler, and that you were opposed to me on every issue before the people. I refused to listen. I asked but one question: Is McClellan the man to whip the new army into a mighty fighting machine, and hurl it against the Confederacy? I said to them: "I don't care what his religion is, or his politics may be. The question is, not whether I shall save the Union--but that the Union shall be saved. My future and the future of my party can take care of themselves"--and I appointed you.

McCLELLAN

And forced me to march against Richmond before I was ready!

LINCOLN

I ordered you to move, because it was necessary to forestall a great tragedy. Your army of 180,000 men had gone into winter quarters around a glittering camp over which a young Napoleon presided. Fools about you daily advised that you proclaim the end of the Republic and establish yourself as Dictator. You do not deny this----?

McCLELLAN

No. The fact is well known. Besides, Stanton, your Secretary of War, was at that time my attorney, and he knew----

LINCOLN

Exactly. I took the bull by the horns and ordered your grand army to move on Richmond. When you failed and retreated, I refused to dismiss you against the fierce protest of my Cabinet. I left you in command of half our men and appointed General Pope to lead the other half.

McCLELLAN

[_Sneeringly._]

And he led them to overwhelming disaster at the second battle of Mana.s.sas----

LINCOLN

[_Quickly._]

For which disaster, you must share the blame. You were ordered to join Pope. You didn't move. Pope was broken by a deliberate design, that was little short of treason, sir. But instead of agreeing to the demand for your trial by court martial, I did the most unpopular act of my life. I reappointed you to the chief command of the whole army--defied public opinion, and faced a storm of abuse in my party councils.

McCLELLAN

And when I led that superb, reorganized army to our first victory at Antietam, you removed me from my command before I could win my campaign.

LINCOLN

I removed you from your command because, after you had cut Lee's army to pieces, and he had but 23,000 men left, and you had 75,000--three to one--you lay down on your arms and allowed Lee to escape across the river without a blow--while Jeb. Stuart with his cavalry once more insulted you by riding around your army. Come now, can't we leave to posterity to settle the merits of our controversy over the command of armies? Can't you believe me to-day, when I tell you with G.o.d as my witness, that I have never allowed a personal motive to enter into a single appointment or removal which I have made----?

McCLELLAN

I cannot believe it----

LINCOLN

In spite of the fact that when I reappointed you to the chief command of the army after the disaster to Pope, _you_ thought that my messenger was an officer with a warrant for your arrest! You still say no----?

McCLELLAN

I still say no--you _had_ to do it--and you know that you _had_ to reappoint me.