Read Online The Titans by John Jakes - Free Book Online

found it scandalous. Did she still? He didn't know. Every letter he'd written to her in the past two years had gone unanswered, a source of bitterness and-often-rage. Abruptly, Jephtha realized he'd been wasting precious moments; Lincoln was repeating a question that had gone unheard while Jephtha's thoughts wandered. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't hear what you-was "I said, do you have some things you want to inquire about?" "I do, Mr. President. But Mr. Nicolay warned me you probably couldn't speak freely." "Said it with an apology in his voice, I suppose?" "Yes." "John hates to antagonize you fellows from the press. That's because he used to be one of you. Out in Illinois he worked for the Pike County Sucker. My, that's a flavorful name, ain't-isn't it?" Jephtha smiled but said nothing. After a moment's thought, Lincoln went on: "But John put it to you honestly. I won't comment on very much. The fact is, I've gagged everybody in the administration for the time being. These next few days will be mighty difficult. We can't afford to have the wrong things get into print. So no major statements are to be given out, except from this office or with my express approval. I imagine that'll save you some time, however. You won't have to scurry from "department to department, hoping to find one of your sources ready to blab-was Lincoln's smile became sympathetic. "Hope I haven't spoiled your morning." "No, sir," Jephtha lied. Theo Payne would be far The Titans69 from sympathetic when he learned official Washington had nothing to say. "All right, then. If you want to go ahead on those terms, ask your questions." Trying to conceal his disappointment, Jephtha took a moment to scan the questions he'd roughed out earlier. "I heard your chief opponent in the November election was here yesterday. Has he endorsed your proclamation?" Lincoln nodded. "Judge Douglas did call-I can never get used to referring to him as Senator, you know. He did endorse the proclamation. Without reservation. He'll be issuing a statement today." "With your permission?" "With my full permission, yes, sir. The Judge and I scrapped long and hard-the debates in Illinois when I pinned him to the Freeport doctrine, then the campaign. But he's a good friend. More important, he's a Union man. I don't know which is the greater boon, the Judge supporting me now, or the way he got me out of a real fix on the inauguration platform when I ct oldn't find a place for my old stovepipe." Writing, Jephtha smiled. "I remember how he took the hat and held it while you spoke-was The smile faded. And I remember your closing words. Eloquent words about the better angels of man's nature. I don't believe they exist any longer. Not in this country- "Can you say anything about the state of the army? Before your call for troops, it was only fifteen thousand men-was "Sixteen. Most of 'em scattered hither and yon on the Western borders." "Will they be able to put down the insurrection with the help of the militia?" Lincoln reflected. "Mr. Kent, I won't answer that I've already expressed my thinking in the proclamation. 708An Oath Registered in Heaven" To say anything further might sound overly belligerent. Make matters worse. The truth is, I'm saddened the South has forced war on this government-was "Some say you maneuvered the events at Sumter. Specifically, by sending Mr. Chew of the War Department to Charleston earlier this month to inform Governor Pickens you intended to reprovision the fort by sea." Lincoln looked somber, his silence acknowledging a degree of truth in Jephtha's rather bold observation. But the President let him continue: "In effect, Mr. Chew's mission signaled a repetition of the Star of the West incident before you took office. In Charleston they regarded it as a warning that you wouldn't surrender Federal property. That you'd fight instead-and hoped to provoke them into firing the first shots. Which, as it turned out, they did." "I'm aware of what people are saying," Lincoln