LINCOLN

That's what I say----! Bring to me the traitors who are causing them to
desert, and see what I'll do to them!

STANTON

You can't evade the issue I'm making, sir! You'll be asked this morning
to pardon a deserter. I call a halt here and now--will you stop to-day
the use of this pardoning power----?

LINCOLN

I've got to hear both sides--it's my solemn duty----

STANTON

All right, I'm done. There's my resignation as your Secretary of
War--Good-by!

[STANTON _strides angrily to the door and_ LINCOLN _speaks as he
puts his hand on the knob._]

LINCOLN

Wait a minute----

STANTON

It's no use----

LINCOLN

Come back here. I've something to say to you.

[STANTON _returns._]

STANTON

You're wasting your breath----

LINCOLN

Stanton, I appointed you Secretary of War against the advice of every
man about me. You were a cantankerous Democrat and my enemy. You had
said the meanest things about me that were ever spoken in
Washington--and that's putting it pretty strong. You called me a low
clown--the original gorilla. In spite of all this, I saw _your_ great
qualities! I saw that you were absolutely fearless and absolutely
honest, that your nerves were made of steel and your capacity for work
was boundless. Even in your passions and hatreds, you showed a loyalty
to the Union that rose above the parties and creeds of a lifetime. I
like men of your strong personality. They stand between a nation and
hell. And so, I appointed you, my bitter foe, to my cabinet. I've never
regretted it for a minute in these years of blood and anguish. You've
made the best Secretary of War this country ever had. In spite of your
mean traits and your awful profanity, I've learned to love you! Now,
you've resigned, and done your duty, as you see it. I've accepted your
resignation, _conscripted_ you again, and reappointed you----!

[_Pauses and strokes his shoulder._]

Go back to your desk and stick to the rules--that's your business; and
I'll keep right on here tempering Justice with Mercy when I get a
chance.

STANTON

[_Gazing at him a moment hopelessly._]

Well,--I suppose I'll have to try----!