ime earnestness,
should sink all schemes of revenge. Before the grandeur of its simple
story our children will walk with uncovered heads. Conquered soil! The
South has never been out of this Union. Secession was null and void
from the beginning. I say to the South now, as I have always said:
"Come back home! You can have peace at any moment, by simply laying
down your arms and submitting to the National Authority." When the
South lies crushed at our feet, God's vengeance shall be enough.

STEVENS

The life of our party, sir, demands that the Negro be given the ballot
and made the ruler of the South. This is not vengeance. It is
justice--it is patriotism.

LINCOLN

The Nation cannot be healed until the South is healed. Let the gulf be
closed in which we bury strifes and hatreds. The good sense of our
people will never consent to your scheme of vengeance.

STEVENS

The people have no sense! And a new fool is born every second.

LINCOLN

I have an abiding faith in their honesty and good purpose. I have
trusted the people before, and they have not failed me.

STEVENS

Bah----!

LINCOLN

I can't tell you, Stevens, how your venomous plans sicken me. I'd
rather work with you than fight you, if it's possible. But the line is
drawn now--we've got to fight--and I'm not afraid of you.

STEVENS

You had better listen----

LINCOLN

I'll suffer my right arm to be severed from my body before I'll sign
one measure of revenge on a brave, fallen foe!

STEVENS

I have always known you had a sneaking admiration for the South!

LINCOLN

I love the South--it is a part of this Union! And when the curse of
slavery is lifted, it should be the garden spot of the world--I love
every foot of its soil--every hill and valley, and every man, woman and
child in it. I am an American!

STEVENS

The kind of an American that makes the election of your opponent,
General George B. McClellan, a certainty----

LINCOLN

Well, who would you put in my place?

[_He faces_ RAYMOND _and_ STEVENS, _and dead silence follows._]

Come on--out with his name----!

[_They remain silent._