[With earnest dignity.]
The country needs you—you are the man, and the only man who has the simple common sense to save this Union first, and settle all other questions afterwards——
Lincoln
That may be so—too——
Mrs. Lincoln
Tell me one thing—is the man who has this appointment at eight the traitor whom Raymond's Committee is trying to put in your place——?
Lincoln
No! Yet—if there is anywhere a better man who can render the country a greater service than I can, he ought to be in my place——
Mrs. Lincoln
But don't you see that it isn't really the man who can give the greater service who will win in such a treacherous fight? It's the liar and the hypocrite who may win.