He turns the battery of his scorn now on his personal peculiarities, his
drawn and haggard and sorrow marked face, his heartlessness in reading
and telling funny stories, and last of all his selfish ambition which
asks a second term at the sacrifice of his party and his country.
A Congressman of unusual brilliance and power follows this assault with
one of even greater eloquence and bitterness.
Two more in quick succession and all demand with one accord the same
thing:
"Down with Lincoln!"
Not a voice has been lifted in his favor. If he has a friend he is
apparently afraid to open his mouth.
And then the giant form of Jim Lane slowly rises. He looks quietly over
the crowd as if passing in review the tragic events of four years. Is he
going to add his voice to this chorus of rage? A year ago in the same
Grand Council he had a bitter grievance against the President and
assailed him furiously. Yesterday he was at the White House and came
away with a shadow on his strong face.
He stood for a long time in silence and seemed to be scanning each
individual in the crowd of tense listeners.
And then his deep voice broke the stillness. His words rang like the
boom of cannon and their penetrating power seemed to pierce the brick
walls of the room.
"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Grand Council:
"To stir up sore and wounded hearts to bitterness requires no skill or
power of oratory.
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