uch right to print as to speak it----

LINCOLN

No, he hadn't----

[_Pauses and looks at_ VAUGHAN.]

You say your father's name is Richard Vaughan----?

VAUGHAN

Yes--Dr. Richard Vaughan--and I ask for him a fair trial confronted by
his accusers--I ask for justice--will you grant him this trial----?

[LINCOLN _lays the pamphlet down on his desk and rises._]

LINCOLN

[_Shakes his head._]

I cannot----! I cannot do it!

[_He folds his arms behind his back and paces the floor,
unconscious of the glitter of murder in_ VAUGHAN'S _eyes_. VAUGHAN
_slowly draws his revolver and is about to lift to fire, when_
LINCOLN _suddenly turns and speaks._]

[_With sharp emphasis._]

That little pamphlet, sir, found its way into the ranks and caused a
number of soldiers to desert----

VAUGHAN

Who says this?

LINCOLN

I happen to know it!

[LINCOLN _pauses and shakes his head sorrowfully._]

You see, my boy, your house is divided against itself--the symbol of
our unhappy country. Of course, I didn't know of this particular case.
Such things hurt me so, I refuse to know them unless I must. They tell
me that Seward and Stanton have arrested without warrant and hold in
jail more than thirty-five thousand men at this moment. I hope the
number is exaggerated--still it may be so----

VAUGHAN

[_Angrily._]

It's true--I've learned it since my father's arrest!

LINCOLN

[_Tenderly._]

But, come now, my son, put yourself in my place! I'm here to save the
Union for which you are fighting--for which you have poured out your
blood. I've armed two million men and we are spending four millions a
day, to fight the South for trying to secede. My opponents, taking
advantage of our sorrow, harangue the people and elect hostile
legislatures in the Northern states. They were about to pass ordinances
of Secession and establish a Northwestern Confederacy! Shall I fight
Secession in the South and merely argue with it here? I was compelled
to suspend the civil law, arrest these men and hold them without bail
or trial----

VAUGHAN

You _are_ using the naked power of an emperor then?

LINCOLN

[_Shaking his head sadly._]