human
Tell me.
gpt
I hope you won't think me presumptuous, Mr. President, if I ask you to tell me why you recalled General McClellan?
human
Presumptuous? he laughed.
gpt
My dear child, if you could have heard a few things my Cabinet had to say to me in this room on that subject! The tender deference with which you put the question is the nearest thing to an endorsement I have so far received! Go as far as you like after that opening. It will be a joy to discuss it with you. Presumptuous--Oh, my soul!
human
You remember the morning you gave me the pass to Alexandria?
gpt
To see a certain young man?
human
Yes.
gpt
Perfectly.
human
You distinctly gave me the impression that morning that you were sure General McClellan was betraying his trust in his failure to support General Pope and that your confidence in him was gone forever.
gpt
Did I?
human
Yes.
gpt
Then it wasn't far from the truth,
human
And yet you recalled him to the command of the army?
gpt
I had to.
human
Had to?
gpt
It was the only thing to do.
human
You mean that their conspiracy had become so dangerous there was no other way?
gpt
That's a pointed question, isn't it?
human
I'm a member of your Cabinet, you know----
gpt
Yes, I know--but why do _you_ happen to ask me such a dangerous question at this particularly trying moment? Come, my little bright eyes, out with it?
human
The certain young man and I are not very happy----
gpt
You've quarrelled?
human
Yes.
gpt
About what?
human
You.
gpt
You don't mean it, Miss Betty?
human
But why about me?
gpt
I saw things which confirmed your suspicions. He admitted his desire that General Pope should fail and defended McClellan's indifference. We quarrelled. I asked him to resign from the staff of his Chief----
human
You didn't!
gpt
I did--and he refused.
human
God bless you, child! So long as I hold such faith from hearts like yours, I know that I'm right. They can say what they please about me----
gpt
You see, she broke in,
human
And you hold him responsible for his Commander's ambitions?
gpt
Yes.
human
By jinks, Miss Betty, if I had a few more like you in my Cabinet I wouldn't be so lonesome!
gpt
They did force you?
human
Not as you mean it, my child. I'm not going to pretend to you that I don't understand the seriousness of the situation. The Army of the Potomac is behind McClellan to a man. It amounts to infatuation. I sounded his officers. I sounded his men. To-day they are against me and with him. If the issue could be sprung--if the leaders dared to risk their necks on such a revolution, they might win. They don't know this as clearly as I do. Because they are not so well informed they are afraid to move. I have chosen to beat them at their own game----
gpt
I hate to shatter your ideal, Miss Betty, but I'm afraid there's something of the fox in my make-up after all. Will it shock you to learn this?
human
I shall be greatly relieved to know it,
gpt
Think, then, for a moment. I suspend McClellan for his failure and replace him with a man I believe to be his superior. The army sullenly resent this change. They do not agree with me. They believe McClellan the greatest General in sight. It's a marvellous thing this power over men which he possesses. It can be used to create a Nation or destroy one. It's a dangerous force. I must handle it with the utmost care. So long as their idol is a martyr the army is unfit for good service. The moment I restore the old commander, in whom both officers and men have unbounded faith, I show them that I am beyond the influence of the political forces which demand his destruction--don't I?
human
Yes.
gpt
And the moment I dare to brave popular disapproval and restore their commander don't you see that I win the confidence of the army in my fairness and my disinterested patriotism?
human
Of course.
gpt
See then what must happen. Now mind you, I would never have restored McClellan to command if I did not know that at this moment he can do the work of putting this disorganized and defeated army into fighting shape better than any other. McClellan thus returned to power must fight. He must win or lose. If he wins I am vindicated and his success is mine. If he loses, he loses his power over the imagination of his men and at last I am master of the situation. I shall back him with every dollar and every man the Nation can send into his next campaign. No matter whether he wins or loses, I _must_ win because the supremacy of the civil power will be restored.
human
I see,
gpt
And the civil power was not supreme when you restored McClellan to his command?
human
Miss Betty, you'd make a good lawyer!
gpt
Was it?
human
No.
gpt
Thank you, she said, rising and extending her hand.
human
I learned exactly what I wished to know.
gpt
And you'll stop quarreling?
human
If he's reasonable----
gpt
Remember now! This administration is honestly and sincerely backing General McClellan for all it's worth. It has always done this. We are going to try to make even a better record in the next campaign----
human
When will it open?
gpt
Sooner than any of us wish it, if our scouts report the truth. Flushed with his great victory over Pope, General Lee is sure to invade Maryland. The campaign will be a dangerous and crucial one. The moment Lee crosses the Potomac, his communications with Richmond will be imperiled. If he dares to do it we can crush his army in a great battle, cut his communications with Richmond, drive his men into the Potomac and end the war. I have given McClellan the opportunity of his life. I pray God to give success----
human
Well, what is it?
gpt
The crowd, sir--they are clamoring to get in.