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A straw vote was taken yesterday in the Carver Hospital. The wounded soldiers gave me three votes to your one. Straws show which way the wind is blowing. I know that your party is divided--that John C.
Fremont has split your organization, and is daily gaining ground--that unless _he_ retires, _you_ can't be elected! Your party is in a hopeless panic--and my election is conceded. Yet, you ask me allow you to dictate the policy of my administration!
LINCOLN
[_Evenly and pressingly._]
Will you denounce these conspirators within your party----?
McCLELLAN
No----! When I need your advice on any public utterance, I'll let you know.
LINCOLN
Will you preside over this Union Meeting?
McCLELLAN
[_Firmly._]
Never! I'll do my best to save my country, but in my own way without suggestion or a.s.sistance from you----
LINCOLN
[_With firm conviction._]
Then, sir, you _are_ committed by your pledges to the possible division of this Union! I suspected it--but I had hoped for the best--good night!
[_The General bows stiffly and leaves the President standing in sorrowful silence, his deep eyes staring into s.p.a.ce, seeing nothing as_ NICOLAY _enters._]
[_Pausing, and looking up._]
I thought you'd gone----?
NICOLAY
I hope there may be something else I can do for you, sir----?
LINCOLN
Yes--there is----
NICOLAY
What?
LINCOLN
Bear witness with me to this, the blackest hour of my life--I have touched the depths of despair----
[_Springs to his feet._]
But I can't give up--there's too much at stake!
NICOLAY
Corruption, intrigue and malice are doing their work, Chief--but you can't be beaten! Unless _you should_ give up!
LINCOLN
Well! I won't give up!
NICOLAY
McClellan refused the pledge you asked?
LINCOLN
Yes. He is bound hand and foot to the Copperhead leaders who will control his convention----
NICOLAY
I thought so----
LINCOLN
John, if I could win one man out of the inner councils of the Copperhead orders--one man who really loves his country----
NICOLAY
Can a Copperhead love his country----?
LINCOLN
Why not----? A rattlesnake might love his own fence corner! There are plenty of honest misguided men among them. I have been studying Baker's report this afternoon---- If I could just get hold of _one_ Copperhead who knows the signs and pa.s.swords of their inner council, I've worked out A PLAN THAT CAN WIN THIS FIGHT!
NICOLAY
[_Suddenly._]
The very man may be on the way here at this moment!
LINCOLN
[_Eagerly._]
What's that----?
