rebel leaders, frighten them out of the country, open the gates, let down the bars, skeer them off,” he said with great animation in his voice; he emphasized his Midwestern accent and waved his arms about as if he were trying to scare off sheep. “I, for one, hope there will be no persecution, no bloody work, after the war is over. No one need expect me to take part in hangin’ or killin’ those men, even the worst of them. Enough lives have been sacrificed. We must extinguish our resentment if we expect harmony and union. I know there are powerful men in Congress who wish to dictate to those states, to treat those people not as fellow citizens. There is already too little respect for their rights. I do not sympathize with these feelings.” Then Lincoln looked from face to face of the men sitting around the table to quietly reinforce his authority and his policy of malice towards none. The long Cabinet meeting began to break up, now well past 1:30.
“Mr. McCulloch, we must look to you to ensure that our soldier boys are fully paid for their gallant services to the country,” the President said as he took his Treasury Secretary by the hand.
“And I, sir, will look to the people who have never failed us in this regard,” answered McCulloch. As McCulloch left the President’s office, he wondered if the people would be able to fully service the nation’s unprecedented $2.4 billion debt.
The various secretaries filed from the room. Stanton took time to gather up the various papers he had brought over in support of his policy proposal. Lincoln noticed that General Grant was lingering.
“Well, General, now you see how all this works,” he said and waved his hands around the office referring to the inner workings of a President’s Cabinet meeting.
“Yes, Mr. President, it was most interesting and most enjoyable.” Grant took the President’s hand and continued. “Mr. President, I regret that Mrs. Grant and I will not be able to attend the play with you this evening, as delightful as that would be to us. I have been able to finish the work at hand and we are very anxious to see our children in Burlington as it has been some weeks since we have done so. I hope you will accept our regrets.”
“Well, General, I believe the people will be more disappointed than Mrs. Lincoln and me, and I think you might talk to Mrs. Grant about delaying your trip by just one day to afford the people the opportunity to see you.”
“I appreciate that, but we have already made the arrangements and our train will be leaving in just a few hours. Please accept our kindest regrets.”
“If it must be, it must be. Safe travels, General,” Lincoln called to his conquering hero as he left the office.
“Well, Seward, how is your father?” Lincoln turned to the Assistant Secretary of State who had stayed behind to talk to the President about another matter.
“He heals remarkably fast, sir. He was able to take some soft food for the first time today. Thank you for asking. I will let him know that you inquired after him.”
“And tell him that I will come by in the next day or so and sit with him.”
“Sir, I did want to remind you that Sir Frederick Bruce is the new British Minister to the United States and you have not formally received him. Would you be able to do so now?” Seward asked.
Lincoln thought for a moment and said, “Let’s do that tomorrow at two. In the Blue Room I suppose?”
“In the Blue Room it will be,” Seward said and left the room. Out in the corridor and on the steps leading down to the first floor, the Cabinet members were walking and talking together.
“That was the most satisfactory Cabinet meeting we have ever had,” Speed commented.
“Indeed. Did you see the ol’ Chief? Didn’t he look grand?” asked Stanton.
“He has never appeared to better advantage,” observed Welles as they walked from the Executive Mansion, each continuing on to his own carriage.
A Plan Falls