I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this land will never be purged away but with blood. For God has given the strength of the hills to Freedom. No man sent me here. I acknowledge no master in human form. I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them. That is why I am here. You may dispose of me very easily. I am nearly disposed of now. But this negro question is still to be settled. The end of that is not yet. I am ready. Do not keep me waiting. In no other possible way could I be used to so much advantage to the cause of God and of humanity. [_He moves toward the gibbet and the scene goes into darkness with the pounding of a drum._] FOUR VOICES A house divided against itself cannot stand. [_A pause and the drum again, tapped twice._] EIGHT VOICES (_Upon a higher note._) This government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. [_Then light upon Freedom._] FREEDOM (_The light only upon her face._) The day attends the sun and the event Attends the purpose of a steadfast mind. Always in all upheaval man must find The purpose of a master’s government. Now in the darkling of calamity, The purpose and the character of one Called to a generation’s mastery Come as the sun, Come and are known and spend Their powers hardily, And, in the end, Leave to the issue clarity again, And wisdom to the memories of men. [_The light spreading about her discloses the figure of Abraham Lincoln standing at her feet. People gather at the sides of the stage._] THE CHOIR Lincoln ... Lincoln ... Lincoln.... LINCOLN In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it. THE PEOPLE (_Crescendo._) Lincoln ... Lincoln ... Lincoln.... [_Freedom bends her head upon Lincoln. The negroes look up to him. The people come a little closer, moving restlessly among themselves with disturbed, though soundless, gestures._] LINCOLN I would save the Union.... If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could, at the same time, save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could, at the same time, destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, 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. [_Suddenly, as Lincoln’s voice concludes, the people divide impetuously, and draw back, in two great bodies, to either side of the stage._ _A cannon crashes out and all the people are aghast._