If any men of importance try to crowd in before their time —— Another ——? My God ——! No , I 'll vouch for your loyalty to the President . Throw the bag in the corner — there 's no room on his desk now —— Well , Edward ——? If I can —— Well , Edward — these letters ask two things of Abraham Lincoln : That he dismiss General Grant from command of the Army —— And stop the war to-day — August 23 , 1864 ,— make peace — peace at any price — to-day —— That 's what these letters demand —— Watch out for that door , Edward —— The fools ——!What is it , Mrs. Lincoln ——? They are —— Yes —— There are ugly rumors —— I can n't discuss it , Madam , until the Chief knows —— Not yet . He will , this morning . They 've just sent a demand to me that he see them before his public reception begins —— Only rumors — and they 're too ugly to put into words — they 're incredible —— The Chief would n'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 —— 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 —— No , Madam —— But they have certain powers over the Nominee of their party —— Yes —— Excuse me , ladies — while I go out and get rid of some of these people waiting to see the President —— The President is coming , Madam —— I 'll try to manage it . The friends of the Chief may call on you for some inside work , Madam . I 'm trying to get them out of your way , sir —— Yes , sir —— The Secretary of War is out there now , champing his bit , to head you off on some of them , I think —— From General Grant 's lines — only this , sir —— Yes , sir — and this came in code from Sherman — I would n't go over General Grant 's head , sir , with a military order — he 's sensitive —— It would have to be filed in the War Department —— Baker 's full report of the secret service on the Copperhead Societies —— He asks for the immediate arrest of their leaders — and I think he 's right —— The Republican National Committee are in town , sir —— That 's what everybody 's asking —— To see you —— Henry Raymond , their Chairman , is with them , and has just sent word demanding a hearing before your public reception this morning . I think you 'd better see this Committee right away , sir —— Some ugly rumors —— You wo n't see the Committee now ——? A young lady to plead for the life of her brother —— Edward , take her to the War Office with this message —— I can n't admit you , Mr . Congressman , just now —— Now , you 've got it ——! Tell him yourself —— The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more women to go to the front —— The deputation of colored men whom you asked to come this morning are waiting , sir — will you see them now ? The National Committee have just arrived , sir . Of course not . I saw him to-day , sir . Yes , sir . You can n't take me into your confidence , Chief ? I do n't think the General will give that pledge , sir . What is it , Madam ? I am forbidden to discuss it with any one . Yes —— I wish to God I did —— At once — sir —— Yes , sir —— You can trust him implicitly , sir —— The carriage is approaching , sir . Yes . Edward has gone ——You , of course , realize , Chief , the importance of a cool head in dealing with McClellan —— McClellan may lose his —— Under that paper weight , sir —— Yes , sir . I hope there may be something else I can do for you , sir ——? What ? Corruption , intrigue and malice are doing their work , Chief — but you can n't be beaten ! Unless you should give up ! McClellan refused the pledge you asked ? I thought so —— Can a Copperhead love his country ——? The very man may be on the way here at this moment ! Miss Winter is due here with her lover — a young Captain of Grant 's Army —— In view of the attempts to take your life — I made some inquiries to-day about him — I knew the White House would be without guards to-night —— He was on McClellan 's staff at one time —— He 's a McClellan man — then —— In the hospital the past two months he has heard a lot of bitter talk —— It 's almost a certainty —— Prove to this boy to-night that these men are liars —— He 's got to listen ! He comes to ask of you a great favor —— I could n't find out . But you can use the opportunity to gain his confidence . He is engaged to a girl who is Mrs. Lincoln 's intimate friend — a girl who admires and trusts you . You can win him , Chief , if you only try ! All right , sir . Oh , Miss Winter —— Pleased to meet you , Captain — the President will be back in a moment . He has just stepped in to speak to Mrs. Lincoln . He is expecting you — make yourselves at home —— The time 's up . Raymond and his damned Committee are here , sir , and insist on your final answer at Once —— They are not foolish hopes ,— Chief ! What shall I tell them ? I promised you an answer in half an hour , gentleman !— you must wait . Three cheers for General William Tecumseh Sherman ! Three cheers for the old President and three cheers for the new !