INTRODUCTION:
Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Soon after war broke out between the North and the South. Lincoln declared that the war was not to free the slaves but to save the Union. Lincoln soon saw that it was time to free the slaves, so he signed the Proclamation of Emancipation.
This act linked the name of Lincoln with one of the greatest acts in history.
The last act will be President Lincoln signing the Proclamation of Emancipation.
(Lincoln sits at desk. Two men are showing him papers. One enters and says: "Mr. Lincoln, here is Mr. Seward with the Proclamation." Enter Seward and several others.)
Mr. Seward: I have brought you the Proclamation to sign, Mr. President.
(Lincoln takes paper, reads it over, takes up pen, tries to write, drops pen several times.)
Mr. Seward: What is the matter, Mr. Lincoln?
Mr. Lincoln: I have been shaking hands since nine o'clock this morning and my right hand is almost paralyzed. If my name ever goes down into history it will be for this act and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles as I sign this document, the ones who examine it will say—he hesitated.