THOMAS DIXON

AUTHOR OF "THE BIRTH OF A NATION," "THE CLANSMAN," "THE LEOPARD'S SPOTS," ETC.

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON MCMXX

COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY THOMAS DIXON

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO

WILLIAM HARRIS, JR.

WHOSE COURAGE AND HIGH IDEALS AS A PRODUCER GAVE TO THE AMERICAN STAGE THE EPOCH-MAKING PLAY

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

HISTORICAL NOTE

While the popular conception of Lincoln as the Liberator of the Slave is true historically, there is a deeper view of his life and character. He was the savior, if not the real creator, of the American Union of free Democratic States. His proclamation of emancipation was purely an incident of war. The first policy of his administration was to save the Union. To this fact we owe a united Nation to-day. It is this truth of history which I try to make a living reality in my play.

The scenes relating to the issues of our National life have been drawn from authentic records. The plot of the action is based on the letter of Colonel John Nicolay to Major Hay, dated August 25, 1864, in which the following opening paragraph is found:

"Hell is to pay. The New York politicians have got a stampede on that is about to swamp everything. Raymond and the National Committee are here to-day. R. thinks a Commission to Richmond is about the only salt to save us; while the President sees and says it would be utter ruination. The matter is now undergoing consultation. Weak-kneed damned fools are in the movement for a new candidate to supplant the President. Everything is darkness, doubt, and discouragement."

No liberty has been taken with an essential detail of history in the development of the action except to slightly shift the dates of two incidents for dramatic unity. In neither case does the change of date affect the validity of the scene as used.

Thomas Dixon

DIVISION INTO ACTS

Prologue: The Lincoln cabin in the woods of Indiana, 1820.

Act I: In the President's room, the morning of August 23, 1864.

Act II: The same, that evening.

Act III: Scene 1. Jefferson Davis' room three days later, in Richmond. Morning.

Scene 2. Same as Acts I and II.

Epilogue—Victory. The Platform of the second Inauguration, March 4, 1865, before the Capitol at Washington.

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

PROLOGUE

PERSONS OF THE PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

Set Scene: The rough-hewn log cabin of Tom Lincoln is seen in the center surrounded by the forest wilderness of Southern Indiana, 1820.

The cabin door is cut in level with the ground. There is no shutter to the door and no window to the cabin.

Right and Left of the door opening are rude benches of split logs. On the walls are stretched a coon and a small bear, squirrel and muskrat skins. In the foreground on the right is seen an old-fashioned wash pot set on three stones. Near the wash pot is fixed in the ground a pole, on the top of which are hung six gourds cut for martin swallows to nest in. Beside it are a rude bench and two wash tubs. On the left is a crude settee made of a split log with legs set in augur holes and a rough back made of saplings. An old-fashioned doctor's saddle-bags hang across the back of the settee. The trees are walnut, beech and oak—undergrowth of dogwood, sumac and wild grapevines. These vines, festooned over the cabin, give a sinister impression. A creek winds down through the hills behind the cabin.

At Rise: Sarah is seen softly tiptoeing toward the cabin door. She pauses, listens and slowly peeps inside. She listens again and then slips away and calls.

Sarah

Abe! Abe!

[Sarah goes back to the door and peeps in and runs to the gate.]

Abe——! Ma's awake now!

[She returns to the door, peeps in again and runs once more to the gate.]

Abe——! He's feelin' her pulse! Come on in—don't stay out there in the woods....

[Abe enters slowly.]

Abe

What does he say?

Sarah

He ain't said nothin' yet.

Abe

He's a dumb doctor, anyhow. I couldn't get him to say a word comin', last night.

Sarah

Well, he's here now, and there's his saddle-bags full of medicine. You've been ridin' all night—you look terrible tired! Go to bed and sleep a little——

Abe

I can't—while Ma's so sick—I'm afraid to go to sleep——

Sarah

Why——?

Abe

You know why—Sarah——

Sarah

Ah, she ain't goin' to die now. She's talkin' to the doctor—lie down just a little while and get to sleep before the sun comes up or ye can't sleep——

[Pleading.]

—come on——

Abe

No—I'm scared—the plague's killin' folks every day—and nobody knows what to do for 'em——

[The Doctor and Tom enter from the cabin and come down slowly—the Doctor seems to be debating his course of action.]

[Eagerly to Doctor.]

You can do somethin' for her, Doctor?

Doctor

[Hesitates.]

Yes—Get me a clean towel and a bowl——

Abe

Run, Sarah—quick——

Sarah

[Running to cabin.]

Yes—I'll get 'em——

[The Doctor opens his saddle-bags, takes out his lancet and examines its keen point.]

Tom

What are ye goin' ter do with that knife?

Doctor

Bleed her, of course—it's the only thing to do——

[Starts toward cabin.]

Abe

[To his father.]

Don't let him do it——!

Doctor

What's that?

Tom

You shan't bleed her—I don't know nothin' 'bout doctorin'—but I know that'll kill her——

Doctor

I've a notion to give you the worst cussin' you ever had in your life, Tom Lincoln....

Tom

'Twouldn't do no good—Doctor——

Doctor

[Throwing his arms up.]

'Twould do me good! I've rode all night—thirty-five miles—from my home in Kentucky across the Ohio, into this wilderness, just for you to insult me——

Tom

I didn't mean to——

Doctor

Well, you're doin' it—and I'd give ye the cussin' that'ud pay me for my trouble comin' up here—if I hadn't heard what you've been doin' for your neighbors, in this plague. There's no doctor in thirty miles—— You've been the doctor and nurse—mother and father to 'em all. And when they die, you go into the woods, cut down a tree, rip out the boards, make the coffin, dig the grave and lower the dead with a prayer—I'd like to cuss you, Tom Lincoln—but I can't—damn ye——!

Tom

I'm sorry, Doctor—but I just couldn't let ye bleed her——

Doctor

All right—good-by——

[With a snort of anger, the Doctor throws his lancet into his saddle-bags, snaps them together, and starts for the gate.]

Abe

[Following the Doctor to gate.]

Doctor——!

Doctor

What do ye want——?

Abe

[Seizing his hand.]

Please don't go—I'm mighty sorry we made ye mad—I didn't go to do it—you see——

[He falters.]

I love my Ma so, I just couldn't see ye cut her arm open. And Pa didn't mean to hurt yer feelin's—won't ye stay and help us? Can't ye do somethin' else for her——?

[Pauses.]

I'll pay ye——! I'll work for ye a whole—year——

Doctor

You'd work for me a year?

Abe

[Eagerly.]

I'll work for ye five years if you'll just save her—just save her life—that's all—don't go—please, don't——

Doctor

[The Doctor slips his arm around the boy, draws him close and holds him a moment.]

You're a good boy, Abe——

Abe

You'll stay——?

Doctor

I'd stay and do something if I could, Sonny, but to tell ye the truth, I don't know what to do—I'm not quite sure I'm right about the bleedin', or I'd stay and make you both help me——

[He pauses.]

But I'm not sure——! I'm not sure! And I don't know what else to do—I've got no medicine—so I can't stay. All I can tell ye is to keep her warm—and give her everything good to eat that she can take—she's in God's hands—Good-by——

[The Doctor hurries through the gate—and leaves Abe and Tom gazing forlornly after him, as Sarah comes from the house.]

Sarah

I've got the towel and bowl all ready——

[Pauses.]

What's the matter——?

[Looks around.]

Where's the doctor——?

Abe

He's gone——

Sarah

Gone——?

Tom

Yes——

[Nancy enters by door of cabin.]

[Nancy's sudden appearance in the door swings Abe around with a quick cry of pain. The sun is tinging the eastern sky with the splendor of an Indian Summer morning. The mother's figure in blue homespun suggests against the dark background of the cabin door the coming of a spirit from the unseen world. She pauses a moment in the doorway and smiles at her son.]

Abe

Oh, Ma, you mustn't——

Tom

[Following.]

Nancy——!

Nancy

I'm better, I'm a lot better——

Abe

You're too sick to come out here, Ma——

Nancy

[Smiling.]

I can walk—as well as you can,—see——

[She sways slightly toward the settee.]

Abe

But the Doctor says you must keep warm——

Nancy

Well—I have on the warm stockings that Sarah knit for me and the coon skin moccasins you made—don't you see, I'm better now——?

Abe

[Joyfully.]

Look, Pa, she's better!

Sarah

Yes—she's better!

Tom

[Alarmed.]

Don't try to walk—set down, honey!

Nancy

[Sinking on bench.]

Yes—I will——

[The boy comes closer, staring eagerly into his mother's face.]

Nancy

Come closer, my boy——

[Abe kneels at her feet.]

Tom

I'm a feared of this, Nancy—you better let me git a hot rock and wrap it up for your feet.

Nancy

Yes, Tom—and bring me the Bible. I want Abe to read to me.

[Tom goes into the cabin worried over her.]

Abe

Feel all right, Ma——?

Nancy

[She nods and breathes deeply—her eyes alight.]

I wanted to see the sun rise through the trees! You remember the day you cut down your first tree to begin the clearing and the sunlight came through the hole you'd made to the sky——

Abe

Yes—I remember.

Nancy

You called me to come and see it——

Abe

[In a whisper.]

Yes——

Nancy

I was proud that morning as I saw you stand with your ax on that big log—anything my boy starts to do—he does——

[Pauses.]

Your father taught you to use the ax and——

[Turns and looks at Abe.]

Your father's a good man, my son—kind-hearted and true and everybody likes him. They made him road supervisor of his township in Kentucky once. If he could read and write he would have gone to the legislature——

[Tom enters from the cabin with the rock and Bible, he crosses to Nancy, and Abe takes the rock and puts it under her feet—Sarah kneels and helps him. Nancy's hand drops on the bench. Tom picks up her hand, and the chill of it worries him.]

[Abe and Sarah rise.]

Nancy

Read to me, son—I like to hear your voice——

Abe

[Brightly.]

All right—what——?

Nancy

The Twenty-third Psalm.

[Abe looks for the place.]

I love to hear you read, my boy. It means that you can do what any other man can—it means so much!

Abe

[Reads.]

The Lord is my shepherd—I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake——

Nancy

[In a whisper.]

Yea, tho' I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me——

[Abe stops, looks up at his mother in amazement.]

Abe

Ma——

Nancy

Remember always, my boy, that God is with you! He is in the day and the night. He is in the sun and the wind, the trees and the grass—and not a sparrow falls to the ground without He knows. You recollect the year you put up those gourds there——

[She points to the pole.]

for your martins——? You cried when they circled away in the fall——

[Abe nods.]

I told you God would send them back in the spring, didn't I——?

[She laughs softly.]

You said that He'd forget to tell them and they'd never find the way—but they came—didn't they——?

Abe

Yes, Ma, and I know now they'll come again next spring.

Nancy

So—I want you never again to doubt God, my boy, and I want you never to doubt yourself. Your bare feet, your ragged clothes, how poor you are—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! I've taught you to read and write, and now you can do anything! If God takes me——

[She pauses exhausted.]

Abe

But you mustn't say that, Ma——!

Nancy

"The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether!"

Abe

No! no, Ma! Don't talk that way! You'll give up if you do——!

Nancy

If He calls, my son, then my work is done—and you can do all I've tried and failed to do——

Abe

[Alarmed.]

Had she better talk so much, Pa——

[Stoops to fix her feet.]

Tom

[Feeling her hand.]

Nancy——!

Nancy

Just a minute more, Tom——! Don't let him know yet—you know——!

Tom

[With upward look of faith.]

Yes, I know——

[To Abe.]

It's all right—boy——

Nancy

Come back close, my son, I want to tell you something I saw last night! I had a dream—the same one I had the night before you were born. You had grown a man—strong and brave—wise and gentle. The people hung on your words, and did you homage. But you remembered this cabin here in the deep woods and you were humble. I walked with you between two white pillars. It was still and solemn, in there. Outside I could hear the people calling your name. You bowed low and whispered in my ear: "This is all yours, my Mother. I bought it for you with my life. All that I am I owe to you——"

[Her voice sinks to a whisper that is half a laugh of religious ecstasy.]

Abe

[Joyfully.]

See how she's smilin'—Pa! She's getting well—I tell you——!

Tom

[Whispering.]

Don't ye understand, boy——?

Abe

No—what——?

Sarah

What—what is it——?

Tom

[In deep religious awe.]

Look—look at her eyes——! She's not telling ye a dream—she's looking through the gates of Heaven——

Abe

No—no—no——!

Tom

It's death—boy—it's come—Lord, God, have mercy——

[Abe springs to his feet and stares in anguish, as Tom falls on his knees beside Nancy. Nancy's hand rests gently on Tom's shaggy head, while he sobs. With her other hand she feels for Abe's and holds it feebly.]

Nancy

Be good to your Father,——

[She pauses and breathes with difficulty.]

In the days to come, he will be the child and you the man——

Abe

Yes——

Nancy

And love your sister——

[Abe nods.]

If dark hours come, my spirit will be watching, my son—and I'll help you if I can——

Abe

Yes, I know it!

Nancy

And remember that you can be a great man in this free country if you only say—I will——

[Nancy's body sinks in death as the boy lifts his face illumined by the light of a great purpose.]

Abe

Yes, Ma,—I will!

CURTAIN

PERSONS OF THE PLAY

ACT I

Set Scene: The President's room in the White House, August 23, 1864. A flat desk left center. At right a long table and chairs. Doors open right and left. Large windows open center. Beside the center window stands an upright desk. In one corner a rack with map rollers and folios of maps on the floor and leaning against the wall.

At Rise: Colonel Nicolay, the President's Secretary, is seen writing before an enormous pile of mail. He reads a letter and throws it down in disgust. Reads another and hurls it into the waste basket. He rises—turns back to the desk and hurls an armful of the letters into the corner on the floor and removes enough letters to clear a space for his Chief to write.

[Edward enters dragging a mail bag.]

Nicolay

[Calling to the Doorman.]

Edward!

Edward

Yes, sir——

Nicolay

Hold that door tight this morning——

Edward

Tight as a drum, sir——

Nicolay

If any men of importance try to crowd in before their time——

Edward

I'll look out for them, sir—here's another bag of letters, Colonel Nicolay——

Nicolay

Another——?

Edward

And there's two more outside——

Nicolay

My God——!

Edward

Don't blame me, sir—I didn't write 'em——

Nicolay

No, I'll vouch for your loyalty to the President.

Edward

Where'll I put these——?

Nicolay

Throw the bag in the corner—there's no room on his desk now——

Edward

[Obeying.]

Yes, sir——

[Edward throws the bag in the corner of the room where Nicolay has already piled the letters from the desk, and turns to Nicolay. He watches Nicolay destroying letters for a moment.]

Nicolay

Well, Edward——?

Edward

Will you tell me one thing, Colonel Nicolay——?

Nicolay

If I can——

Edward

What do they say in these letters to the President——? I've served through four administrations—I've never seen such piles of letters in the White House before——

Nicolay

Well, Edward—these letters ask two things of Abraham Lincoln: That he dismiss General Grant from command of the Army——

Edward

The idiots——

Nicolay

And stop the war to-day—August 23, 1864,—make peace—peace at any price—to-day——

Edward

God save us! After nearly four years—quit, with nothing settled——?

Nicolay

That's what these letters demand——

Edward

You couldn't believe it—— No wonder his eyes sink back in his head, an' he looks as if he were seeing ghosts——

[Pauses and starts.]

Nicolay

Watch out for that door, Edward——

[Edward bows, and exits to door leading to the main corridor. Nicolay returns to his task of reading the letters—one he tosses into the basket wearily—one he crumples in anger and hurls into the basket.]

Nicolay

The fools——!

[He is absorbed in a letter when Mrs. Lincoln enters in a state of nervous excitement. He rises quickly, and goes to meet her.]

What is it, Mrs. Lincoln——?

Mrs. Lincoln

I have just heard that the Republican National Committee is in Washington——!

Nicolay

They are——

Mrs. Lincoln

In conference at Senator Winter's house——?

Nicolay

Yes——

Mrs. Lincoln

What do they want?

Nicolay

There are ugly rumors——

Mrs. Lincoln

What——? What——? What——?

Nicolay

I can't discuss it, Madam, until the Chief knows——

Mrs. Lincoln

Mr. Lincoln doesn't know——

Nicolay

Not yet. He will, this morning. They've just sent a demand to me that he see them before his public reception begins——

Mrs. Lincoln

You've heard something—you know something—tell me—I can't endure the suspense——

Nicolay

Only rumors—and they're too ugly to put into words—they're incredible——

Mrs. Lincoln

All the same, you believe them——

[Impetuously.]

What have you heard——?

Nicolay

[Shakes his head.]

The Chief wouldn't like it if I talk, before he knows. I'll tell you a few things I'm thinking in plain English—if you'd like to hear——

Mrs. Lincoln

You can't make it too plain to suit me——

Nicolay

In my opinion, the devil is to pay. Weak-kneed fools are deserting the Chief. Every man who loves Abraham Lincoln must get off his coat now and fight. He is the only man who can save this Nation to-day, and he's too big and generous to be trusted alone with wolves——

Mrs. Lincoln

What can you mean——? The Republican National Committee have no power over the President of the United States——

Nicolay

No, Madam—— But they have certain powers over the Nominee of their party——

Mrs. Lincoln

But Mr. Lincoln is already the nominee of his party for the second term ... chosen two months ago—and the election is but eight weeks off—what do you mean——?

[Edward enters.]

Edward

Miss Betty Winter to see you, Ma'am——

Mrs. Lincoln

How fortunate—they're at her father's house——!

Nicolay

Yes——

Mrs. Lincoln

Show her right in here, Edward——

Edward

Yes, Madam——

Mrs. Lincoln

[To Nicolay.]

And she's loyal to Mr. Lincoln—

Edward

[At door left.]

Right this way,—Miss Betty——

[Betty enters—a young woman 25 years old—poised, cultured, charming.]

Mrs. Lincoln

[Meeting Betty.]

Welcome—my child——

Betty

You're always so kind——!

Nicolay

Excuse me, ladies—while I go out and get rid of some of these people waiting to see the President——

[Nicolay exits.]

Mrs. Lincoln

Tell me, dear, you've heard something—the Republican National Committee are at your father's——

Betty

They were there—they've adjourned to Thaddeus Stevens' house across the street from us—— They were locked in with father for two hours——

Mrs. Lincoln

Locked in——?

Betty

[Nods.]

With the keyhole chinked up——!

Mrs. Lincoln

And you didn't get a hint of what they're up to——?

Betty

Not the faintest——

Mrs. Lincoln

Oh, Betty—they're discussing me——

Betty

They didn't mention your name——

Mrs. Lincoln

How do you know——?

Betty

Well—I did hear a little——! I could hear from the next room when they got excited! It's Abraham Lincoln they're discussing—not his wife——

Mrs. Lincoln

You're sure——?

Betty

Sure——! It sounded like a regular dog fight—with one big brute howling——

[Imitates.]

—the President's name above the din——

Mrs. Lincoln

But, you can't be sure, my dear——

Betty