ten 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 Mass 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 endorsement, 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----

[_Pauses and picks up the report._]

showing that the Copperhead Societies are of your party and are
thoroughly organized in every state of the North--that they demand an
immediate peace and will accept a division of the Union----