use there's never been one without the shadow of a
slave. We must build a real Government of the people, by the people,
for the people. It's not the question merely of four million black
slaves. It's a question of the life of freemen yet unborn. I hear the
tread of these coming millions. Their destiny is in your hands and
mine. A mighty Union of free democratic states without a slave--the
hope, refuge and inspiration of the world--a beacon light on the shores
of time!

[_Pauses._]

--There's but one tragedy, that can have no ray of light, and that is
that this blood we are now pouring out shall have flowed in vain, and
these brave men shall die for naught, that the old curse shall remain,
the Union be broken into hostile sections and these battles must be
fought again.

[_He pauses, breathes deeply, and lifts his figure as if to throw
off another nightmare and slips his arm around_ VAUGHAN.]

My enemies call me a tyrant and usurper! I who came up here from a
pioneer's cabin in the wilderness, out of rags and poverty----

[_Pauses._]

--How well I remember when my mother looked at them and said--"This is
nothing--it doesn't count here--it's what you feel--it's what you
believe--it's what you see that counts----"

[_Struggles with his emotions._]

Now I'm going to show you something, my son, and I'll let _you_ be
the judge as to whether I'm a tyrant--

[_He takes up the booklet and hands it to_ VAUGHAN.]

Read the title page.

VAUGHAN

[_Reading in amazement._]

"Why Should Brothers Fight?" By Dr. Richard Vaughan.

LINCOLN

That pamphlet was taken by his sister from the pocket of a poor
ignorant boy, who was sentenced to be shot for desertion to-morrow at
sunrise----

VAUGHAN

No! No!----

LINCOLN

I pardoned him this morning----

[VAUGHAN _sighs his relief._]

Your father wrote and printed that poison, and has forfeited his life
for that boy's act----

VAUGHAN

[_Trembling._]

I know you could order his execution----

LINCOLN

I said to-day that I'd hang such a man on a gallows forty cubits
high--but now that I see you trembling----

[_He pauses._]

I shall _not_ order his execution. I shall only hold him until the
war is over, and then let him and all the others go----