You know
and I know that Albert Sidney Johnston and R. E. Lee are our greatest
generals--"
"I'll protect them from the chatter of fools--never fear--"
"To what end if you allow them to break down the faith of our people in
their Government? The strong arm, alone, can save us. It's no time to
haggle about the forms of law. Your duty is clear. Stop this foolish
ceremony of Inauguration to-day and assume in due time the
Dictatorship--"
Davis threw both arms up in a gesture of impatient refusal.
"It's a waste of breath, Benjamin. I'll die first!"
The elastic spirit of the younger man recovered its poise at once and
accepted the decision.
With a genial smile he slipped one arm around the tall figure.
"Brave, generous, big-hearted, foolish--my captain! Well, I've done my
duty as your chief counselor. Now I'll obey orders--one thing more I
must add in warning. Richmond swarms with spies. It will be impossible
to defend the Capital on the approach of McClellan's army without a
proclamation of martial law."
The President looked up sharply.
"We'll compromise on that. I'll proclaim martial law and suspend the
_writ_ in Richmond--"
"And a radius of ten miles."
"All right--I'll do that."
It was the utmost concession the wily minister of State could wring from
his Chief.
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