[NICOLAY _enters with_ GENERAL MCCLELLAN. _The General is thirty-eight years old, dressed in a uniform of immaculate cut, flashing with gold. While his figure is short and stocky, in striking contrast to the President, he is a man of commanding appearance, and gives one the impression of a born leader of men. He enters with quick military precision and salutes with studied formality the President as his superior officer. The President answers his salute, as_ NICOLAY _exits._] LINCOLN I suggest, General McClellan, that we forget for the moment that I am the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy--and we have a little heart to heart talk in a perfectly informal way---- McCLELLAN [_Stiffening._] May I enquire, Mr. President, at once, to what I owe this extraordinary summons? LINCOLN [_Cordially._] Will you be seated, General----? McCLELLAN Thank you, I prefer to stand. [_Angrily._] What right have you to send for me or ask anything, after the foul injustice with which you have treated me as Commanding General---- LINCOLN [_Interrupting._] Just a moment--I have not treated you with injustice--I have treated you with more than justice. I have treated you with the generous faith and love of a father for a wayward boy---- McCLELLAN Really! LINCOLN I have. When I appointed you to the chief command of our Army, you were but thirty-four years old. I did it against the bitterest opposition of my party leaders. They told me you were a pro-Slavery Democrat--a political meddler, and that you were opposed to me on every issue before the people. I refused to listen. I asked but one question: Is McClellan the man to whip the new army into a mighty fighting machine, and hurl it against the Confederacy? I said to them: "I don't care what his religion is, or his politics may be. The question is, not whether I shall save the Union--but that the Union shall be saved. My future and the future of my party can take care of themselves"--and I appointed you. McCLELLAN And forced me to march against Richmond before I was ready! LINCOLN I ordered you to move, because it was necessary to forestall a great tragedy. Your army of 180,000 men had gone into winter quarters around a glittering camp over which a young Napoleon presided. Fools about you daily advised that you proclaim the end of the Republic and establish yourself as Dictator. You do not deny this----? McCLELLAN No. The fact is well known. Besides, Stanton, your Secretary of War, was at that time my attorney, and he knew---- LINCOLN