Read Online The Titans by John Jakes - Free Book Online Page B

know-and I'm sure you do too-the internal threat is just as great as the threat from Virginia. Southern sympathizers are pretty thick in this town. I know from all the gossip I've heard about us folks from the Northwest. The Southern crowd believes we're sour. Puritanical. Can't even enjoy a good party because of our religious principles-oh, I've heard it all," he finished with a weary wave. "i 28An Oath Registered in Heaven' The Titans73 Potential danger for city-real? Fancied? Jephtha wrote, cupping the sheet so the President couldn't see. As he finished jotting the final word, he said: "Even though fighting's broken out, will you attempt any further conciliation with the Confederacy?" "I'm sorry, but you're tramping forbidden ground again, Mr. Kent. I won't discuss policy before it's decided. Besides, things are moving so fast, policy has to run like the devil just to stay ten yards behind! Any announcements along the lines you mentioned will be official, not informal ones. "However, speaking in total confidence, I want peace. Soon, if that's possible. But there can be no compromising with rebellion. The first responsibility of this administration is to prove that popular government hasn't become an absurdity." The intense, deep-set eyes seemed to catch fire and burn a moment. Strangely, Jephtha was conscious of the humanity of the man before him, not the office he represented. Lincoln's clothes were untidy. His speech was nasal, and to some ears, grating. The Congress wouldn't even vote funds to refurbish the building in which he lived and worked under the awesome burdens of the moment. Directly beneath the conference table, there was a large rip in the threadbare carpet- "We must settle the question now" Lincoln went on. "In a free government, does the minority have the right to sunder the whole whenever they choose? I say no. This administration says no. But if we fail in proving our case it will go far to demonstrate the incapability of the people to govern themselves-was A sharp knock broke the President's concentration. Jephtha finished writing and slipped his paper and pencil back into his pocket as Lincoln accompanied him toward the rosewood door. "It's the personal price of what we face that disturbs me most," the President said. "My Bob is old enough to 748An Oath Reystered in Heaven" fight. And you have bovs of your own-in Virginia- didn't you mention that when we dined together?" "The bovs were in Virginia," Jephtha answered, feeling the familiar anger. "I have no idea where they are now. My wife has remarried. Her husband travels-was He didn't want to reveal that Fan was married to a man who engaged in a profession respectable oeople considered only a cut above operating saloons or bawdyhouses. He was an actor. It truly baffled Tephtha that his former wife, always a prooer sort, had taken up with a man such as Edward Lamont. Jephtha would have been hurt, even angry, no matter whom she'd married. But if Fan had chosen a merchant, or a teacher, it wouldn't have been half so humiliating- "Well," Lincoln said, "for the sake of your boys, and mine, I hope we can bring the conflict to a speedy end. I sometimes get depressed and conclude Americans can only settle their great disputes with bloodshed. The trouble is, it's never the disputants-the politicians- who shed the blood. They send their sons and your sons and my sons off to do it for them." He shook his head. "Sad-was As Lincoln reached for the door, it was opened by an impatient Nicolay, watch in hand: "Mr. President, forgive me, but it's twenty-five past the hour!" "Can't help it, John. Mr. Kent and I got engaged in a good chat." Lincoln held out his hand. Jephtha shook it. The President had a strong grip. Nicolay kept fidgeting. But the melancholy eyes looking out from under the black brow made Jephtha blurt one more question: "Do you ever regret you've taken this office, sir?" The President leaned against the door frame in a relaxed way. He put one hand in