_Seward_: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, but there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that perfectly well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free in his mind, to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the Union. You remember his words: "If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than that, just as nothing could be plainer than his determination to free the slaves when he can. _Hook_: Well, there are some who would have acted differently. _Blair_: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so wisely. _Stanton_: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the only man I should agree with at all. _Hook_: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will propose, mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when we want to keep it clear. _Welles_: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now? _Hook_: You see if he doesn't. _Welles_: If he does I shall support him. _Seward_: Is Lee's army broken? _Stanton_: Not yet--but it is in grave danger. _Hook_: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was nothing. _Chase_: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it all. A CLERK _comes in_. _Clerk_: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment. _He goes_. _Hook_: I shall oppose it if it comes up. _Chase_: He may say nothing about it. _Seward_: I think he will. _Stanton_: Anyhow, it's the critical moment. _Blair_: Here he comes. LINCOLN _comes in carrying a small book_. _Lincoln_: Good-morning, gentlemen. _He takes his place_. _The Ministers_: Good-morning, Mr. President. _Seward_: Great news, we hear. _Hook_: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a little now, we ought to see through our difficulties. _Lincoln_: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow me? _Opening his book_. It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest. THE MINISTERS, _with the exception of_ HOOK, _who makes no attempt to hide his irritation, and_ STANTON, _who would do the same but for his disapproval of_ HOOK, _listen with good-humoured patience and amusement while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward_. "High Handed Outrage at Utica."