Now that you've had your joke—let me remind you that the radical wing of the Republican Party has already named General John C. Fremont against you——
Lincoln
[To the Committee.]
What say you, gentlemen——? Shall I resign in favor of the bolter who attempted to dictate to you your platform and your candidate before your convention met? Do you ask me to resign in favor of General Fremont?
The Committee
No! No! Down with the bolter! To the devil with Fremont. No! No! No! Damnation—no——
[Raymond quiets the uproar.]
Stevens
I am not asking you to nominate Fremont. We split the party and named Fremont because we wouldn't have you. Get off the ticket and we will withdraw Fremont and put up a man who can be elected! Whatever the chances of General Fremont at this moment the election of McClellan on a Democratic Copperhead Platform is conceded by your own party councils. McClellan is even now choosing his Cabinet——
Lincoln