 Hey, Firenuff, I was Nancy's stash. She's a friend. It's a boy. He's small, isn't he? Homely as a little mud fan. There is a misleadest, smartest man in New Salem. Ain't cha? Well, I don't mind my face. I'm behind it. It's the people in front that get charged. Ha ha ha. With any man who shoot at us, it's a lucky chance. Or if it does the bragging, I do the running. You'd better just off them shoes, that stranger, because you ain't here for long. Well, I was aiming to settle here a while. This ain't no peaceable town. Well, I'm a peaceable man. Wait till Jack Armstrong gets hold of you. You throw you out that door like you're a sack of meal. Big fella? No bigger than you. But he's champion of this country. He ain't never been late. And when he sees you, folks can't even stick without his say so. Chuck me out of that door, you say? Like a sack of meal. That's quite a long chirp for a peaceable man. Barbie. No, I'm small. King Judy must be. He's just busted up over in Stimps's place and stabbed his new clerk all over the county. Man, don't you ever rest. Barbie. Got a yellow-libert baboon from Indiana. I come from Indiana, but not that part. Well, get out. Let's see what bones I watch to crack first. I had a rush to talk about this. Man, I'm sorry. I told you to just pull this back. I should be before I pull this problem. I can't. I haven't taken it, buddy. Have you taken it? No. Do you total? No. Just form up. No, I don't regulate nobody's drinking. Just more. Et cetera. He taught me how to work, but he never taught me how to like it. I'd rather keep on with a lesson. I'd rather keep on with something else. You made a bad bargain making me the professor. Well, he told me about that, too. He said if you make a bad bargain, hug it all the tighter. But he didn't mean this kind of a bargain. Well, don't you like it, Anne, when I pull you tight? I guess every girl's sort of like so. Well, Professor, law is a rule of human conduct. Governing the... Well, Uncle Jimmy, don't charge nothing extra for it. Just throw it in. I'm expecting a sight of rails out of you. He's the best rail splitter in the country. He'll be more than... You, Uncle Jimmy? Nearer than 40. I'll get you out 40 more rails than you expected. There's more law and less temptation. It scared me worse than it did you. If anything happened to you, I don't think I could live. Funny, Anne, I feel the same about you. You taught me how to love. Have I taught you to like it? It's awful nice this time of day. Yes, Anne. I'm telling you a sort of a story, Anne. Why, of course, Anne. Well, there was a town in Illinois called... New Salem? Yeah, that's it. And in that town lived the prettiest girl in the world. What was her name? Anne Rutledge. Eve. What I'd like to find out about that girl is that she... Did she ever take a little time off to think about getting married? Well, maybe. Because there's an Abe Lincoln hanging around that's a pretty good catch. What's he like? Oh, he's a big merchant, owner of three stores, all bankrupt. Well, is he handsome? Well, his pa said that Abe had been cut out with an axe. Politicians, too, are here. Yes, he's got less property and owes more debts than anybody ever run for the legislature. Oh, Abe, now you'll do all right when you get started. Well, there's something I'd like to start right now if I thought I could finish it. You know, Anne, I've always done a lot of dreaming. And lately it seems when I dream, your face gets mixed up in it. Does it really tell me about the mixing? Well, I feel as though I'm going to be seeing your face till the day I die. Of course, I know that that'll be pretty hard for you to have to look at my face that long. Everybody to their own opinion. Meaning? I think it's the dearest, kindest, most beautiful face in the whole world. Oh, Anne. Of course, I know that's just flattery, but I love it. You know, I feel like little Jimmy Watkins, he got a hunk of gingerbread the other day and says, I guess there's nobody love gingerbread like I does and gets so little of it. Oh, Abe. Will you marry me? I mean, of course, when I get out of debt and can support you. Well, you know Abe I've intended to for a long while. That is, of course, if you're asking me. You mean? Yes, Abe. You've got your gingerbread. Oh, well, pretty bad. He's been asking for you, Abe. It came as soon as I could. I had the fever pretty bad myself. I've got to tell you the truth, Abe. It's hopeless, perhaps by tomorrow. No longer. I'm so glad you came, Abe. Are you all right now? No, don't bother about me, dear. I'm all right now. I know the truth, dear. It's a good bye. No, no, Anne, dear. You're not going to leave me. I won't let you. We must be free. Don't take me away. Don't take me away. So dark and lonesome going. Anne, you mustn't let go. Abe, sing. I wouldn't be so afraid. We will be there, dear. Oh, I love you so. I love you, too. I love you, too. I love you, too. I love you, too. Are you any better, Paul? No, not much. I'll tell you, Doctor. He's just like a sick child. He was lost for five days before we found him. Yeah, I know. We took his pocket knife away from him. We were so afraid something might happen. Well, well, good gracious, Abe. You're looking better. I was just trying to talk to him. He's just King's answer. You could only think of something that would just bring him back. And I guess time's the only thing. Why should the spirit of mortal be crowned? Like a swift-feeding medium, fast-flying crown. Flash of the lightning. Light of the wave. We cast some light through his blessings. My goodness, Mary, it's hard just to think. You'll be here in a few minutes to catch of America Stephen A. Douglas. Just think of being his wife. Don't be such a hurry, sister. I'm not even engaged yet, much less married. But if he should propose, how do I know he's going further than anyone else in Springfield? When I pick a husband, sister, I'll pick a man. But I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of people seem to think a man named Abraham Lincoln is going even further than Mr. Douglas. Why, Mary, how have you gone crazy? You compare an unknown cornfield lawyer with a brilliant cultured gentleman like Stephen A. Douglas? Why, if you just saw the two of them together, you'd know. He's here. Mr. Douglas is down in the far and he's asking for Mary. Now, Mary, you must be very careful. And remember now, he doesn't like to have those two bones. Look, it's so exciting, sister. And don't hurry me. I'll take care of myself. Can you light through the dance like grace itself, Miss Todd? Always the politician needs to do that. The politician was so fair a constituent thing we... make squizz it. The fair, Mr. Douglas? No, the fair owner herself. May I look at it? Mr. Douglas, I wonder if you do me a great favor. Oh, yes. And pray present me to this young lady. Miss Todd? Yes. I'm meeting lawyers of Springfield, Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln? Miss Todd, I wonder if you'd honor me with the next dance. Miss Todd, you thought my face was funny and the way I dressed even funnier, but the joke's on you. I don't understand. Well, you dance with me. License, Mr. Lincoln? I knew she would when she started out the first time for it. No, Billy, don't bother me. I'm going to be married and I'm scared to death. Oh, don't be alarmed. There's many a bite that's worse than a bride. But, Billy, that woman scares me. She's even got the ridiculous idea that I could get to be president. Oh, don't take that seriously. Every spunky girl thinks her husband ought to be president. I know, Billy, but it's a pity to fool her. And she's a fine woman. Smart as pepper and pretty too. She'll be a great help to you, Mr. Lincoln, but you've got to keep climbing with her. At the best supper you ever tasted and the cake. Wait, you see that cake? What cannot happen to Mr. Lincoln? It's long after this. He would be late at his own wedding. Now, never mind Mary. If he doesn't come soon, I'll send John after him. He's hours late already. Think of that. No, Sister, calm yourself. Heaven's sake, you've got to hurry. Billy, you go ahead. You go on over and I'll come later. I doubt if there's a word in the dictionary that could tell how I feel. Billy, what does a man do with his heads all right, but his legs are cowardly? Well, my cure is to get drunk. My legs are too frightened to pay any attention to liquor. Well, I'll go ahead and tell him that you're coming. Then, then... We've got to find him. No, we can't find him. Not at the office. What happened to him? Well, he was in a terrible state when I left him. He was so frightened and upset. I imagine he just ran away. Ran away? From me? Don't listen to me. Can you imagine? That's what it's hard to get for. Engaging herself to a country to have a roof. So distressing. To reconcile those two after what happened two years ago. Well, we all like Mr. Lincoln. And Mary's just the girl to push him along. Mary. What a lovely dress. It's over. Maybe that's Mr. Lincoln now. It all seems to change. Haven't seen them this way. It's just as it should be. You and Mr. Lincoln will make a great man. Come, my dear, we'll leave the happy pair alone. Good morning, Mary. I... I... Mary... You don't have to bother about me anymore. I think I've settled down at last. I hope I can make your future all you desire. Will you say no more about it, Mr. Lincoln? I really think after all, you need me. You need a lot of patience to put up with me, Mary. But if anyone can do it, I'm sure you're the one. Now, Mary. Out of this campaign, I will not throw much. And this republic can exist forever. You must be tired, Mr. Lincoln. You just sit right here. I'll get your supper for you in a minute. Billy, I feel like a little boy that stubbed his toe, hurt too bad to laugh, and he was too big to cry. Fifty years old, Billy, failure and everything. But by today, nobody'd ever know I'd live. But I'm in. I want you to meet Mr. Fell, one of the most important men in eastern politics. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Fell. I'm honored indeed, Mr. Lincoln. Meet my partner, Mr. Hernandez. What do you do, Mr. Hernandez? You sit down, gentlemen. Mr. Lincoln, your campaign against Douglas has made you a national figure. I am here to ask you, if you will consider being the Republican Party's candidate for the presidency. You say a failure in everything? Mr. Lincoln, you know ever since John Brown slayed, the South has been infuriated. The East on the verge of revolt, and now New York threatens to quit the union. No, no, New York mustn't do that. They must keep the front door on the hinge. There can be no succession. The union must be preserved. But crisis is a plan, Mr. Lincoln, and we believe you are the man. Gentlemen, I... I feel deeply grateful. If you don't come on home, you won't get no supper. See, Mr. Fell, I have another crisis. The soup and the country are boiling over together. More boiling, too. We need deep consideration. Well, Mr. Lincoln, maybe we'll meet you at our hotel later. I'll be there within the hour. Thank you. Come on, sir. They've started it. This is going to mean war. This is Jackie Thorning's head. John Brown and the gang of abolitionists have captured the army at Harpers Ferry. The armed and the slaves to rise up and murder us all. Johnson, they give this all right. What do you do with yours? What I do, I'll throw to death. I'll say, heat. In May, Virginia? No, no, no. I always talk about good. This thing has gone far enough. We'll be murdered in our days. It's what I find out about this. That's your creation. Who's heat? That's the actor John Wilkes Booth. Can't act, but the women don't know it. Can't say much for her disposition. Hush. I should be out in Oregon chopping trees. Oh, sure. I've got one thing, Abraham Lincoln. Servants here are no better than they are in Springfield. This place hasn't been cleaned in over a year. Why, Mr. President? We agree that the situation of our country is most harmless. Most alarming. Thank you, sir. We agree that we must yield to the demands of the South and evacuate for some time. It's the only solution that must be done. We agree that our president must be firmly guided by us. We must make every effort to control his inexperienced judgment. We certainly must. Yes. Gentlemen. Mr. President. Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you, sir. Thank you, gentlemen. I will shoulder all responsibility. The relief shall go to Fort Sumter. That means war. Mr. Seward, I am a man of peace, but the Union shall be preserved. 75,000. Might be difficult to get that many volunteers. Tray is discouraged. We must do something, Mr. President. A story about a man building a boat across a river. He got impatient building the boat and started swimming. Well, sir, what happened? He drowned. And, gentlemen, we've got to be careful not to drown this country. What did you make out? Make out? You don't need to kiss me. Secretary of War. See, boys, we're just licking the tar out. I'm all along. I hope it's for the president. I'd like to see his face when he hears the good news. He has friends broken at Bull Run. They're sweeping everything before it. Mr. President, if we can capture Richmond now, it means the end of the war. Oh, thank God. And you, sir, this victory will silence your enemies forever. And you will be the greatest president in our history. Well, it doesn't matter what they think of me, General. We will have saved the Union. General, would you mind letting me have that telegram? I'd like to show it to Mrs. Lincoln myself. Why, certainly not, Mr. President. And would you mind not calling me Mr. President? Just Lincoln. All right, Lincoln. All messages to General Scott Hold. All messages to the General Scott Hold. All messages to General Scott Hold. What a fact it is. Bad news? Yes, sir. Give it to me. Your first report? It's impossible to reform line. The men are a confused mob. Entirely demoralized. You must make every report to save Washington. Together we must. Volunteers. We hold Washington. We do our best, sir. Is it true we have to get out of Washington? It's very serious, madam. For heaven's sake, what sort of an army have we, anyhow? They did the best they could, Mrs. Lincoln. They might have considered us. It'll take forever to get those trunks back. I'm sorry, madam, for all of us. Either we're leaving. Just a moment, Mary, please. Well, after all the trouble we had getting here, I must say we had a very short stay. Mary, I've hung up my hat right here and here it stays till they knock it off with a bandit. I'm going to run, Miss War. Have you anything further to say in defense of the prisoner? No, sir. Are you guilty? And the sentence? Yes. Just a minute. The President. Pet John. You must pardon me, gentlemen, for this intrusion. I heard one of our soldiers sentence to death. Yes, Mr. President. A bad example of cowardice and desertion. Young man, tell me about it. I think the findings of the court were just, sir. Is that all you have to say? Well, sir, it was our first big battle. We were trying to take a stone wall. We've been trying, it seems, for years. Go on. Finally, though, we got there. I was fighting. Bandits. We were all crazy. On top of the wall. Yes. There was my boyhood chum looking up at me from the ground. No, no, sir. Not alive. We had killed him a long time ago. I knew him. And then? I guess I went really crazy, sir. That's all. Your Captain reports that you threw your rifle away. Yes, sir. That must be right, sir. Making excuses, Colton? Oh, no, sir, only... Oh, get it over with quick. My generals are right. We must maintain discipline. That's all. Bring that young man back. It's a leg case. I beg your pardon, sir? A leg case, yes, yes. My shelves are full of them. But not quite like this one. If the Lord Almighty gives a man a cowardly pair of legs and that man gets frightened, he can't help his legs running away with him, can he? I'm going to pardon you. Go back and do your duty. Oh, I will, sir. I will. I'm trusting you. Oh, son of a... Mr. President, my state of New York is crying out against this endless slaughter. End mine, sir. They are holding services here today, sir, for those who were sacrificed, as they are everywhere. From the east to the west, sir. It can't go on, sir. New England, the west, the entire country are in mourning for this useless waste of lives. Let the southern states go their way, Mr. President, and we will go ours. What I tell you, Mr. President... Now, don't you think it's time for little boys to be in bed, Ted? But your mother... She can't make me. Ted, I suppose you're the only person in the country who thinks I should have any authority. One along. No, I want to stay with you. Please, can I, Daddy? No, we're very busy here now, Ted. Run along. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Gentlemen, don't you suppose my heart bleeds for all the sorrows this war has brought upon? Do you suppose there is a human being who wants peace more than I do? But we want lasting peace. And we can have that only by preserving the union. And gentlemen, the union is going to be preserved. The fore said, I do order and declare that all persons, helpless slaves within said designated states and parts of states, are henceforward and forever shall be free. Well, gentlemen, it is done. More bad news, eh? I'm afraid there is. Well, let's have it. The Congress reports that there are 600,000 copperheads in the north under oath and arm. To get me? Yes. Well, that money ought to keep me dodging. We're taking every precaution to guard you. Ah, they mostly. Ohio has 100,000 armed men ready to rise up and depose you. Illinois, 135,000. Illinois. My old stamping ground. That makes me feel badly. You mustn't tell Mary, but, Mr. President, we are worried about you. Don't mind me, eh? Go on to bed. You're tired. Mr. Lincoln, come on to bed. I'm worried, Mary. You can't be in this war worrying and walking around your stocking feet. I can't sleep. Neither can I. At least we could sleep in Springfield, couldn't we? Did we ever sleep? I'll stand still. I've got it, Mary. I've found the man to win this war. And his name is Grant. Mr. President, the smoking is one of my most persistent habits. And winning victories is another. You do believe in me, sir? I sent for you. He's desperate. We need you. And should I assume command? There would be no interference. None. I promise you that. Grant, Lieutenant General is the highest army command the President can bestow. We haven't had one since General Washington. He was a fair sort of a soldier, too. Lieutenant General Grant, my orders are win the war. I give my best, Mr. President. I know you will. Unfortunately, many of us have failed to recognize a great Confederate soldier. Lee. On the other hand, we have thus far failed to take advantage of a great Northern soldier. I hope I'm not too late in correcting the error. Well, Mr. President, I think it only fair to warn you that many people don't approve of me. Nor of me, but rest assured. There will be no interference. No intrusion. Meet General Grant, Mrs. Lincoln. The pleasure, indeed, to meet the First Lady of the Land. Thank you. I want to talk to you, Mr. Lincoln. I want to talk to you about discharging some of the servants in this house. Well, I don't see how anybody can talk in here with all this smoke. I can't stand it. Pardon me, General. I'll have to talk to you later. Very sorry, Mike. Oh, there, General, no apologies. You've given me an idea. I may take up smoking myself. But to resume, General, we will give you all the help you need. Every man capable of bearing arms shall go. We've got to win this war. It is a duty we owe the self as well as the north. It's a big job, Mr. President. A big job. But I will be done. I will be done. We're in a tight place now. Yes, we generally are, Stanton. Everything depends upon Sharon. He's a fighting Irishman. Then why doesn't he fight? One division, Sharon's army, routed. Now trying to hold left flank. That takes to hold this union together. It will undo everything Grant has done. It's hopeless. I don't think so. Before each victory, I've had a vision of a ship with white sail. That vision has just come to me. With all respect, sir, I'd rather trade your ship for good news from Sheridan. Is that General Sheridan in there? Sure, it is General Sheridan. Doesn't that sound like cannon fire? I don't hear anything, sir. Have you good ears? Pretty good, when they're worst. Let them try them. Do you hear anything like cannon fire? Cannon all right. Over to the swamp. I may have caught General right by surprise. Not those horses. The entire army has met an overwhelming defeat. I heard from Sheridan that he was away. It means the defeat of all our plans. Yes, but we'll have to withdraw Grant from Richmond to protect Washington. The forces have struck the enemy and have won an overwhelming number of prisoners. I hope there's nothing but prisoners from now on. Yes, Mr. President. My poor army. I'd rather die a thousand deaths than do that to them. They're that general. You must lie down and rest. That's a beautiful word. They've called a spy and they want the order for his execution. Approve, sir. Who was that? Only a courier, sir. What did he want? They've called a spy. I approved the execution order, sir. Well, the only reason for shooting a spy is the protection of an army, isn't it? Yes, sir. Well, you and I know that this army can't exist much longer. Isn't that right? Yes, sir. That is why I am unwilling that there will be a single life lost unnecessarily. I wonder if you'd mind contramanding that order. I will, yes, sir. Mr. President, we have them. It can only last a few days more. General Sherman and I are glad of his chance to talk with you. The Union. We've saved it at last. They must surrender soon. The Union. We'll have them all back, united, free, one country. And meanwhile, Mr. President, I've heard the country wishes all rebel property confiscated and the rebel generals, such as Lee, shop for treason. He's put up a grand battle. And they rob the cradle and the grates. General Lee is fighting with his last breath. Shoot Robert E. Lee? Someone will have to shoot Abraham Lincoln first. They're rebels, not traitors. And their horses and baggage, sir? They'll need them for the spring plowing. Let them keep them and get to work. Very good, sir. Oh, just one thing more, Mr. President. The head of the rebel government, Jefferson Davis. Jefferson Davis. And do you wish he'd capture? Well, that reminds me of a story. We had a terrible drunkard once in Springfield. Finally, he signed the pledge. The next day, he got thirsty and went to a bar in order to lemonade. And the bartender was fixing it. The old drunkard got sadder and sadder. Finally, he leaned over and said to the bartender, Mike, while you're fixing that, couldn't you put a nice little shot of whiskey in it unbeknownst to me, sir? Well, sir, couldn't you sort of let Jeff Davis escape? Unbeknownst to yourself. We'll do our part, sir. We're going to take them back as though they'd never been away. He freed the Negroes. He suppressed the right of trial by jury. He muzzled the press. Now, with the aid of his bayonets, his army and his Negroes, he'll make himself King of America. Lincoln, I drink to him. And his damnation! All right. For my part, go on. You're among friends. The man who kills Abraham Lincoln will be an immortal. You don't mind my smoking, Mrs. Lincoln? No. You know how glad we all are that you're really elected, Mr. President. I'm sure this lady will be glad to spend four more years in the White House. Glad. I've just hired two new maids. Where, Ham Lincoln, were you ever learned to keep your feet in shoes? Oh, uh, by the way, Mrs. Lincoln, have you met General Grant? I met him. Took us a week to get the smoke out of the curtain. There's almost being one human being who has four. Party of prohibitionists called on me the other day and complained about Grant's drinking. I told them they could find out what brand he uses. I'd send vows of it to my other generals. Two new maids. Gonna be here four more years. Four years. Now, Mr. Lincoln, don't you go thinking about any of those dreams again? You live to a hundred. And after we set everything right over here, we'll travel around the world and have a nice, long rest. Of course not, Ted. You can depend on Mother Serrat. And everything's straight with me. I said I'd go through with it. And I will. Tonight we'll be remembered throughout the ages. I play my best part. How much better. Cash is used, a dagger. But this is safer. With malice, toward none. With charity for all. Openness in the right as God gives us to see the right. We shall bind up the nation's wounds and cherish peace. That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. God bless you all. If he not, hold the horse for me, will you? Yes, sir. Will you be long, sir? No, not very long. Surely you must be mistaken. Mr. Lincoln has just stopped the drive.