human
Mr. Sanders, he began,
gpt
I have heard a good deal about your attempt to kidnap Lincoln. What did you think of Lincoln anyhow?
human
Well, sir, I thought, an' still think that he was the best all-'round man I ever laid eyes on.
gpt
He certainly was a very great man, remarked Mr. Stephens.
human
I knew him well before the war. We were in Congress together. It is odd that he showed no remarkable traits at that time.
gpt
Well, replied Mr. Sanders,
human
You mean after the Republicans elected him,
gpt
Not a bit of it,--not a bit of it! exclaimed Mr. Sanders.
human
Why the Republicans didn't have enough votes to elect three governors, much less a President. But the Dimmycrats, bein' perlite by natur' an' not troubled wi' any surplus common sense, divided up the'r votes, an' the Republicans walked in an' took the cake. If you ever hear of me votin' the Dimmycrat ticket--an' I reckon I'll have to do it--you may jest put it down that it ain't bekase I want to, but bekase I'm ableege to. The party ain't hardly got life left in it, an' yit here you big men are wranglin' an' jowerin' as to whether you'll set down an' let a drove of mules run over you, or whether you'll stan' up to the rack, fodder or no fodder.
gpt
This brings us to the very point we are to discuss, said Mr. Stephens, laughing.
human
I may say in the beginning that I am much of Mr. Sanders's opinion. Some very able men insist that if we take no part in this reconstruction business, we'll not be responsible for it. That is true, but we will have to endure the consequences just the same. Radicalism has majorities at present, but these will disappear after a time.
gpt
I reckon some of us can be trusted to wear away a few majorities,