A Man of the People Part 30

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 Dictatorship!

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 Dictatorship 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 shine 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----