It may be necessary, sir----" he paused and fixed the
President with compelling eyes, "---it may be necessary to suspend the
civil government in the North in order to save the Union!"
The President lifted his big hand in a gesture of despair:
"God save us from that!"
"I came here to tell you just this," the Governor gravely concluded. "If
the crisis comes and I must use force I expect you to back me----"
Two big rugged hands grasped the one outstretched:
"God bless you, Governor Morton,--we've got to save the Union, and we're
going to do it! Since the day I came into this office I have fought to
uphold the supremacy of the civil law. My enemies may force me to use
despotic powers to crush it for larger ends!----But I hope not. I hope
not. God knows I have no vain ambitions. I have no desire to use such
power----"
The Governor left him gazing dreamily over the river toward Virginia a
great new sorrow clouding his soul.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE CONSPIRACY
Lord Lyons, the British Minister, was using smooth words to the
Secretary of State. Mr. Seward, our wily snuff dipper, was fully his
equal in expressions of polite friendship. What he meant to say, of
course, was that he could plunge a poisoned dagger into the British Lion
with the utmost pleasure. What he said was:
"I am pleased to hear from your lordship the expressions of good will
from her Gracious Majesty's Government.
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