[Bookplate: EX LIBRIS

The books, and your capacity for understanding them, are just the same in all places.

A. Lincoln]

WILLIAM H. TOWNSEND

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

A DRAMA OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN

BY

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.

Table of contents (by pages)

• 1: A Man of the People by Thomas Dixon
• 2: Listens and slowly peeps inside
• 3: Takes out his lancet and examines its keen point
• 4: Can't ye do somethin' else for her
• 5: I can walk as well as you can
• 6: He leadeth me beside still waters
• 7: It doesn't count here it's what you feel
• 8: TOM In deep religious awe
• 9: NICOLAY Calling to the Doorman
• 10: NICOLAYWatch out for that door
• 11: EDWARDMiss Betty Winter to see you
• 12: BETTYWell I did hear a little
• 13: Lincoln will be here in a few minutes
• 14: LINCOLN crosses the room with long nervous stride
• 15: NICOLAY Handing him a telegram
• 16: NICOLAY turns away and laughs
• 17: STANTON paces the floor furiously
• 18: Stanton STANTON pauses
• 19: Und my brudder he's such a leetle poy
• 20: NICOLAY writes on the back of the pardon
• 21: VIRGINIAI was afraid they wouldn't let me in
• 22: So old man Nicolay can't hear us he mightn't understand
• 23: She hesitates and appeals to NICOLAY
• 24: The greatest wrong inflicted on any people
• 25: THE WOMANAnd I've been praying for you
• 26: To HENRY RAYMOND taking his hand formally
• 27: In view of the criticism of your policies
• 28: LINCOLNAnd with the loss of our Capital
• 29: STEVENS Pompously to the Committee
• 30: STEVENSThe people have no sense
• 31: STEVENSI am not asking you to nominate Fremont
• 32: The Democrats won by seventeen thousand
• 33: STEVENSThat Lee's strategy has been superb
• 34: RAYMONDYou will consider our request
• 35: He pauses and she presses him tremblingly
• 36: LINCOLN Speaking suddenly
• 37: LINCOLN quickly examines the President's desk
• 38: LINCOLNDo you know who is coming
• 39: LINCOLN With earnest dignity
• 40: My duty to day is the biggest thing in the world
• 41: NICOLAY enters with GENERAL MCCLELLAN
• 42: Pope was broken by a deliberate design
• 43: McCLELLANAnd there is no string to this offer
• 44: If the Union candidate wins the election
• 45: LINCOLN Evenly and pressingly
• 46: I've worked out A PLAN THAT CAN WIN THIS FIGHT
• 47: NICOLAY watches him go with deep sympathy
• 48: Colonel NICOLAY exits
• 49: VAUGHAN walks to the door leading to the Lincoln Apartments
• 50: Is held in prison without bail
• 51: You say your father's name is Richard Vaughan
• 52: Strangling with the poison of Secession
• 53: VAUGHAN Reading in amazement
• 54: LINCOLN studies VAUGHAN thoughtfully
• 55: LINCOLNTo overturn the Government
• 56: You have their signs and passwords
• 57: Who is laying siege to Atlanta
• 58: You've lifted my spirit to the heights
• 59: Benjamin I hope you've rested well
• 60: It's great news you've brought us
• 61: OULDI can trust them here with you
• 62: GILMOREWe worked on the same paper in Washington
• 63: We have no wish to exterminate the South
• 64: JACQUESS and GILMORE exit and OULD reenters
• 65: THE DOORMAN enters and announces
• 66: DAVISAnd you think they would make good soldiers
• 67: BENJAMIN and VAUGHAN reenter
• 68: Is that the word Atlanta you're clicking off
• 69: BETTYNothing yet from General Sherman
• 70: LINCOLNNo news is generally good news from Sherman
• 71: BETTYHe he had to enter Atlanta a spy
• 72: LINCOLNAll right John let 'em in I'm ready
• 73: LINCOLN Ignoring the proffered telegram
• 74: NICOLAYThree cheers for General William Tecumseh Sherman
• 75: Who is delivering his Second Inaugural