 Hey, there's a better thing for better living through chemistry No need for that for their insight made your head foot steps Open the door United States Army wants information from Mrs. Joseph Acklin You won't harm you if you don't try to resist Me that's a need here. Sorry. I think she is but but please mr. Come on men inside. Yes Well, now you can tell the folks at home you've seen Belmont This is a regular castle supposed to be the most beautiful estate around national You know, I'm getting kind of tired of my fellas. Yeah, let's move in here. All right, that's enough You wait your mistress. I don't know mr. Ah, Mrs. Acklin What was it please? Oh, good afternoon, ma'am. I made your gale first and with union forces occupying the city I'm looking for dr. Barry and Linfley president of the University of Nashville Well, have you tried the University naturally but we're proceeding on the assumption that he is taking refuge with one of his close friends and According to this list. He seems to have quite a few besides you there's Morton Foster McGavick Cooper Pope That last name means something Mrs. Acklin No, who is Mrs. S C Pope? You mustn't go there. You mustn't disturb her, please I see my thanks, Mr. Acklin. You've been most helpful. All right boys. Come on. I think I know where we can find our man Go to the door won't you dear of course, Mr. Pope. Oh Well, good afternoon Dr. Lindsay's friends get prettier and prettier Your Mrs. S C Pope. No, I'm not Major Gale first and ma'am United States Army. I'm here to search these premises I'm sorry, but you can't come in here. I'm sorry to miss, but I'm under orders from Governor Johnson Good afternoon, sir. I'm Mrs. Polk. Good afternoon, ma'am. Is that the Barry and Lindsay in this house? Dr. Lindsay. Why yes He's about someplace he walks do do come in sir. I don't believe I heard your name But don't be timid young man speaker person. Didn't you say what major? I'm delighted to meet you, sir This is my friend inside a force now come along to the parlor. We're just having tea, but ma'am about Dr. Lindsay He's in the library I believe his nose deep in some of mr. Polk's most treasured books. How'd you take your tea major ma'am? You don't seem to understand. I'm here to arrest this man And you don't need to understand sir, but you can't as long as he's at Pope place. Why not? Well, you see major Nashville is my home So my sympathy is a naturally with the south but I love my country too as my husband did before me That's why major the authorities have declared Mrs. Polk's home immune. But why should Mrs. Polk be an exception? You are northern and you don't even recognize the widow of a president of the United States. Oh, wait a minute Your Mrs. James K. Polk. That's right But it said Mrs. SC on the list my given name Sarah children Now you didn't tell me how you like your tea Mrs. Polk This is a serious matter and a lady of your standing harboring a dangerous man Dr. Lindsay. What's so amusing this fortune that dear patient man dangerous This is a military governor's idea. Not mine How nice of you army men. You can always blame someone higher up. Oh now now now both of you I don't want the war brought into this house as long as I occupy it It will remain as mr. Polk would have wished it a kind of island of peace And I think I've threatened it's peace long enough. Dr. Lindsay don't come in here. Why not I'll be apprehended sooner or later right young man. That's correction then in order to spare these ladies further Embellishment it may as well be sooner I'm ready major Major Thurston reporting Governor Johnson. I brought Dr. Linsley. Good. Come in please. Thank you, sir Now sir. Yes, Governor Johnson. It has come to my attention that you will refuse to take the oath of allegiance to the United States As is required of all citizens in this territory. That is correct, sir You realize that you as president of the university of Nashville are setting a dangerous example of rebellion even freezing If I sign the oath sir, I'd be setting an example of perjury Can you deny your university has been a breeding place at treason among your young men of this area, sir It has carried on its proper role in the development of culture and nothing else Yet almost all its students are now in confederate further. They would be sir if they had never seen the university Dr. Linsley I am prepared to direct with the university property including buildings equipment and books Be completely destroyed Governor Johnson, you can't mean that I can indeed but governor and the responsibility will be yours Not mine but governor johnson. You will be given three days under guard at your residence At the end of that time if you still refuse to take the oath The order will be carried out Good day, sir My order label has caught you home Good day, sir. Well my compliments major verston on your work in finding this man. Thank you, sir It's sir It's not my place to question your orders. Do you think this one is too severe? The usual alternative for signing the oath is prison To destroy an entire university Well, if you'll forgive me, sir I don't think I'd sleep very well with that on my conscience major That man would gladly go to prison for his principle But he'll think twice before he'll allow the university to be sacrificed But sir if you don't need young men Your duty is to follow orders not to question them. Yes, sir We'll be in charge of guarding dr. Lindley and the campus until day after tomorrow when he gives me his answer And if he still refuses to sign the oath It will then be your responsibility to see that the university is burned to the ground Major verston good evening, miss forster. I hope you'd still be here. What are they done with dr. Lindley? He's at home at the campus under guard Is it for refusing to take the oath of allegiance? If he only would miss forster things would be so much simpler And why are you so concerned because I Well, I did violate mrs. Polk's immunity by arresting him in her house And I think I should apologize to her a bit late for that now. Don't you think? Do you think it is? Well, I I suppose I should appreciate it when the least one northerner tries to be decent come inside I'll tell mrs. Polk you're here. Uh, wait a minute. Miss. I'd uh, yes If I had come here this afternoon just to pay my respects to mrs. Polk Would you have hated me as much as you do? You're a part of the union army, aren't you? Marking through our streets breaking into our homes to arrest us forcing us to sign an oath we don't believe in Well, I guess that answers my question. No No, it doesn't I think I like you very much major if if I were a confederate officer, isn't it? It isn't just a war it's everything that's different in our way of living and thinking Miss sider those differences have been overcome many times before And mrs. Polk wants them forgotten in this house and I'd like to forget him But then I think of dr. Lindsay or major first and he's as close to me as my own and what's going to happen to him He hasn't till day after tomorrow Then if he doesn't sign that oath the university will be burned What? Oh, no, don't believe me miss sider. It's the most difficult task I've ever had to say That's why I had to ask you had to know how you might have felt it You knew what does it matter to you whether the life of one man one quiet little professor Who's never harmed anyone is destroyed and if you do this thing, it will kill him. But don't you understand? This is an order. I can't disobey you come here in some moment. I think you are decent I don't care how many orders you have how difficult it is. You're going to do it, aren't you destroyed books buildings The means for learning the most of all the life of a good man. All he has to do is sign that oath But he won't so you might as well get on with your book burning and your arrest Very well Good evening miss sider Please convey my regrets to mrs. Polk mrs. Vinson Hi there dear, what's all this? I heard voices out here and then came to say you were sorry. I I suppose it isn't his fault, but I couldn't help blaming him. Oh dear mrs. Vinson Oh What did he tell you about dr. Lynn? Oh mrs. Polk. They're going to destroy the university. Oh my dear, what is life? How can they do it to him? How can we stop them? I don't know I'll find some way I'm not the first lady of the land any long-guider, but I still have a voice I'll find some way You're listening to dinner at belmont starring janet blair as ida foster and featuring less daemon and marjorie mod on the Cavalcade of america presented by the depart company makers of better things for better living through chemistry Nashville, Tennessee One of the south's loveliest cities occupied in 1862 by union forces All citizens are required to sign an oath of allegiance to the united states Among them dr. Barry and lindsley Nashville university is to be destroyed if he refuses And that's the home of sarah polk widow of president james k polk come out here major verston. You haven't seen my garden Very beautiful, ma'am here. I'll cut your nose gay There must be some young lady who'd be delighted with these I'm afraid she wouldn't accept them dear me. She must have a heart of stone I'll thought me she has if I were anyone else If I hadn't been detailed to see that the university was destroyed Yes, I know Well, have you thought it out, son? Have you thought what you might do about it? I spent a very long night mrs. Polk trying to think it out. Governor johnson won't change his mind. No, ma'am Well, have you tried talking to dr. Lindsay? You're not suggesting I try to persuade him to change his mind Oh, no, no, not I but as mr. Polk used to say When a young man in love sets out to move a mountain watch out. He doesn't know it's impossible. So he does it The major sirson good afternoon sir come in come in thank you, sir I'm afraid I have no refreshments to offer you at the moment sir However, there is someone coming a little later, but I'll be brief Uh, sir, I came to ask you if you've made your decision They want to know tomorrow and Well, it's very important to me indeed Well, I made my decision in governor johnson's office You let these buildings this university these books be destroyed because you one man are stubborn my friend Those books and letters help tell the story of america if integrity is destroyed Then so is their meaning to those who will read them in the future What would the constitution of the united states be but an empty sheet of paper If we hadn't tried all these years to live by its precepts But sir, you're fighting to break away from the constitution. I believe the constitution gives me that right You and northerner believe the reverse So we apply the ancient prescription which has never yet affected the cure wall dr. Lindsay One side must give in eventually I would ask you for my sake, but Those books belong to the future and to the students who will use them in years to come Do you suppose I haven't thought of them, sir? I don't know what your stake is in this But theirs is very real to me. Then you must change your mind Yes, uh, please excuse me a moment Dr. Lindsay, I got out of my dear mrs. Popes here earlier She said you'd be stopping by with food from belmont's garden. Uh, come on in the park. Oh, no, you have company Later, best Has something happened you're going to release him There's only one way he can be released. Miss. Ida. You know what it is. Please don't worry my dear He hasn't succeeded in changing my mind Well, then I'll be going. There are greens in the basket. I picked them especially for you dr. Lindsay Good day, general. Miss. Ida. Wait a minute Excuse me, please dr. Lindsay. Of course Miss. Ida I don't think we have anything further to say. Have we listen Mrs. Pope gave me the idea of coming I've seen orders because she knew you'd be here. I love mrs. Pope very dearly But since she doesn't take sides, she can't possibly know how I feel But isn't there a way of feeling miss Ida that erases all differences? I knew yesterday when I saw you first I've known it more surely every hour since Then then what is the answer if you feel as I do we'll find an answer I I do I I think I do But you're going to carry out that order. I must I have no choice Then for us there is no answer It's hopeless Good day major 15 Is that you yes, mr. Pope come in dear mrs. Acton's come in from Belmont. We're just having a cup of tea Oh, then if you don't mind I I'd better go on home of those tears Oh my dear, I am sorry You're very sweet mrs. Pope and I I know you tried to help major first in the knee, but There isn't any use major first in the young man who came to search belma. Yes, mrs. Acton I've just seen him a dr. Lindsley and so those tears You see Adilisha these young people are in love, but Ida you hardly know this young man She's right mrs. Acton all I know is that it happened the moment we looked at each other I can't tell you why or how but we both knew it right away. I can understand that But a union officer not only that he's under governor Johnson's orders to burn the university I know it's the only thing he can do but well I'd like to bring that governor Johnson out for belmont and serve him a good dinner Oh wager he changes mine soon enough adilisha that may be an idea Of course and if mrs. Pope should be the guest of honor governor johnson couldn't refuse your invitation In that belmont as it was in the old day if I only had one of my college hands Left in the center. I'll get one somehow We'll gather together every last crumb of food we have and I'll find someone to play with with candlelight music Don't raise your hopes too high my dear. It may not be enough But what else can we do either as mr. Pope used to say Nothing stirs the blood like a good old-fashioned tiger wall I'm going to see the dr. Linsley comes too But he's in custody How can he adilisha you request his presence at belmont? I know the authorities won't refuse of course they won't After all isn't the guest of honor going to be the widow of a president of the united states But even later says welcome to belmont Miss either what is this dinner all about? Would you know why I was asked to bring dr. Linsley to belmont? Because mrs. Pope isn't willing to be defeated as you and I seem to be Governor johnson's coming too. You mean she's trying to bring them together The loveliest of women and the finest of men have gathered in this hall at belmont There's been brilliant conversation here wonderful food and wine friendship If there's ever to be a solution to our problem here is where to be found Wait, isn't that governor johnson now? Yes, yes, it is Oh He looks so cold and unimpressed Oh major person now wishes luck. I do with all my heart Ladies and gentlemen Dinner is served I declare you do have quite a sense of humor governor johnson I believe you have too mrs. Pope having dr. Linsley and me across the table from each other Oh, this is miles there when mrs. Pope was first lady sometimes he seated more of enemies right next to each other No doers fought the next morning not a worm. They always seem to get along fine Just as you and governor johnson have been doing you may serve the items now, jimmy Mrs. Acklin my compliment. This is delight. Thank you. Dr. Linsley Yes, you know why this dinner was given tonight. I think I do So that governor johnson might be persuaded. No, no, no So that both of you might find a way to agree to agree I had a you are not turning against me. Oh, you know, I never could I'm only thinking serve what you've taught me all my life That learning must belong to everyone Oh dr. Linsley, I think you're first and perhaps your only duty is to preserve our culture My dear you have also been taught the highest principles of honor But isn't there a way dr. Linsley of of keeping yourself as far above war and political strikers Those great books do Learning and culture are new tools aren't they as our mrs. Polk is would governor johnson accept that point of view for me Well, he might not have accepted it this morning and tomorrow he may not But tonight here in these surroundings, don't you see it's our only chance either This means a great deal to you doesn't it means hope for happiness the rest of my life Very well Oh mrs. Zacklin mrs. Polk ladies and gentlemen I beg your indulgence for a moment because I have a proposal to make the governor johnson As you know our guest of honor mrs. Polk has always been regarded with respect by both sides in this struggle I regard the university All that it represents as an extension of that neutrality governor johnson I am willing sir to give my word of honor That in exchange for your dropping mr. Mann that I take you I will not help the confederacy in any way I will remain neutral and do my best to serve our country Won't you accept that proposal governor johnson? I'd have only his word to go on What is the oath of allegiance sir, but a man's word? And if you know him to be signing that against his will a very strong argument mrs. Foster Oh, please sir, please think what the university will mean to us after the war It can't do you any harm now. There are no students Dr. Lindsay himself can't harm you if he's given his word of honor Oh, governor johnson. It's it's so important to all of us Won't you consider it, please? I don't believe I have to consider it further mrs. Foster I accept the proposal as of this moment the case of dr. Lindsay is closed Thank you You were a most convincing pusher this evening. Thank you Uh, there's uh another case. I wish you'd plead For whom? Myself oh And um to whom would I plead? Yourself I have already And are we enemies still? Some spring There'll be an evening like this day It'll be a belmont or pope place or home and the war will be over If you come to me then my darling and ask me to plead your case For you know what my verdict will be All of it happened long ago Today the tramp of armed and hostile men has heard no more in Nashville But the mansion of belmont still rises serenely above its tall hill Its ancient dignity has survived the changes of the years For it's part of ward belmont now a college where young girls from all parts of the nation gather in that great hall The hall where in another time other young people's dreams came true Before the eyes of a first lady of the land Sarah polk Of nashville Original cavalcade play dinner at belmont was written by virginia radcliffe It was adapted from incidents in the novel of the same title by alfred lilin craft published by bobs marrow Music was composed by arden cornell conducted by donald bryant Next week cavalcade will present a lively and original radio play honest john geminsky and a 13 uncle sam Our star will be oscar homoca whose delightful stage screen and radio appearances never fail to captivate audiences. So be sure to listen Ladies and gentlemen, this is ted pierce Our economic system has brought more benefits to more people than any other system in history To refute propaganda attacks from those who would take it from us We should learn all we can about the american way All of us ought to read a recently published booklet the miracle of america You can get it by writing box 10 time square station new york city cavalcade of america is directed by john zoller and comes to you each week from the stage of the long echo theater on Broadway in new york and it's presented by the depart company of wilmington delaware This is nbc the national broadcasting company