[_Freedom bends her head upon Lincoln. The negroes look up to him. The people come a little closer, moving restlessly among themselves with disturbed, though soundless, gestures._]
I would save the Union.... If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could, at the same time, save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could, at the same time, destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.
[_Suddenly, as Lincoln’s voice concludes, the people divide impetuously, and draw back, in two great bodies, to either side of the stage._
_A cannon crashes out and all the people are aghast._
_Darkness obscures the two multitudes and the Spokesmen, in the light, strike antiphonally into the beautiful words which Mr. John Drinkwater wrote for the characters in his play, “Robert E. Lee.”_]
The strain comes and men’s wits break under it and fighting is the only way out.
War is the anger of bewildered peoples in front of questions that they can’t answer.
The quarrel is so little beside the desolation that is coming.
One year ... two ... three ... perhaps four! Then there will be just graves and a story and America.
[_Suddenly a pool of bloody light explodes upon the right of the stage and shows a knoll of gray uniforms about the flag of the Confederacy and the men in the light burst into the wild abandon of “Dixie.”_
_Then another pool of bloody light shows blue uniforms and the men and all the Chorus behind sing “John Brown’s Body” again, full voice._
_Then the light upon Lincoln is white and includes the group of slaves and the figure of Freedom._]
All persons held as slaves are and, henceforward, shall be free. And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God.
[_His hands bless the negroes and all the people look gratefully up to him and the armies turn their heads toward him._
_Two figures detach themselves from the two armies. One is Grant. The other is Lee. They walk toward each other and the armies fall back in great weariness. When they meet, the two generals speak._]