"
"You have this chance to put your foot on this frozen snake's head and
yet you bring him into your house again to warm him into life?"
"Chase is a great Secretary of the Treasury, my dear. The country needs
him. I can't afford to take any chances just now of a change for the
worse."
"He has no idea of leaving. He's only playing a game with you to
strengthen himself--can't you see this?"
"Maybe."
"And yet you submit to such infamy in your own Cabinet?"
"It's not a crime, Mother, to aspire to high office. The bee is in poor
Chase's bonnet. He can't help it. I've felt the thing tickle myself. If
he can beat me let the best man win----"
"Don't--don't--don't say such fool things," his wife cried. "I'll
scream! You need a guardian. You have three men in your Cabinet who are
using their positions to climb into the Presidency over you--old Seward,
Chase and now Stanton, and you smile and smile and let them think you
don't know. You'll never have a united and powerful administration until
you kick those scoundrels out----"
"Mother--Mother--you mustn't----"
"I will--I'll tell you the truth--nobody else does. I tell you to kick
these scoundrels out and put men in their places who will loyally
support you and your policies!"
"I've no right in such an hour to think of my own ambitions, my dear,"
was the even, quiet answer.
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