They sit round the table.
Tucker: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States.
Price: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be elected.
Lincoln: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my many disqualifications for this work?
Hind: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely.
Lincoln: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. Washington does not altogether neglect these.
Tucker: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, if I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at the expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess.
Lincoln: Seward and Hook have both had great experience.
Macintosh: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts as to his discretion.
Lincoln: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim at moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that.