strifes and hatreds. The good sense of our people will never consent to your scheme of insane vengeance."
"The people have no sense. A new fool is born every second. They are ruled by impulse and passion."
"I have trusted them before, and they have not failed me. The day I left for Gettysburg to dedicate the battle-field, you were so sure of my defeat in the approaching convention that you shouted across the street to a friend as I passed, 'Let the dead bury the dead!' It was a brilliant sally of wit. I laughed at it myself. And yet the people unanimously called me again to lead them to victory."
"Yes, in the past," said Stoneman, bitterly, "you have triumphed, but mark my word: from this hour your star grows dim. The slumbering fires of passion will be kindled. In the fight we join to-day, I'll break your back and wring the neck of every dastard and time-server who fawns at your feet."
The President broke into a laugh that only increased the old man's wrath.
"I protest against the insult of your buffoonery!"
"Excuse me, Stoneman; I have to laugh or die beneath the burdens I bear, surrounded by such supporters!"
"Mark my word," growled the old leader, "from the moment you publish that North Carolina proclamation, your name will be a by-word in Congress."
"There are higher powers."
"You will need them."
"I'll have help," was the calm reply, as the dreaminess of the poet and mystic stole over the rugged face. "I
