Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Democrats plan to provoke Stevens into declaring racial equality; Yeaman publicly opposes the amendment despite hating slavery.

Scene 42 of 102 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Fernando Wood
George Pendleton
Schuyler Colfax
George Yeaman
Asa Vintner Litton
Richard Schell
Robert Latham
W.n. Bilbo

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:05 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 42

In the final winter of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln risks a fragile coalition and the chance of an early peace to force an amendment abolishing slavery through a divided House of Representatives.

Scenes 1–7
The reelected president balances military command, popular affection and a household wounded by grief.
Scenes 8–13
Lincoln needs a durable constitutional abolition measure and commits to passing it before the term ends.
Scenes 14–16
Radical allies and discreet patronage operatives join the campaign as the amendment enters House debate.
Scene 17
Robert returns, bringing the family's private struggle over his enlistment into Lincoln's public campaign.
Just before
Scene 39
Lincoln asks Stevens to temper his radical demands, arguing that a moral compass cannot chart the obstacles to reform.
Scene 40
Mary begs Lincoln not to let Robert enlist, but news of the Wilmington bombardment calls him away.
Scene 41
Lincoln tells an Ethan Allen story while awaiting battle news; Fort Fisher falls, but Wilmington and heavy losses remain.
Scene 42
This scene

42INT. THE HOUSE CHAMBER - DAY

One representative's reading a paper with the headline: THE FALLEN AT WILMINGTON, followed by hundreds of names.

Pendleton and Wood are conferring.

FERNANDO WOOD

Heavy losses.

GEORGE PENDLETON

And more to come.

FERNANDO WOOD

Sours the national mood. That might

suffice to discourage him -

GEORGE PENDLETON

To what? To bring this down? Not in

a fight like this. This is to the

death.

FERNANDO WOOD

It's gruesome!

GEORGE PENDLETON

(GETTING UPSET:)

Are you despairing, or merely lazy?

This fight is for The United States

of America! Nothing "suffices". A

rumor? Nothing! They're not lazy!

They're busily buying votes! While

we hope to be saved by "the

national mood?!"

He looks over at Stevens, who's at his desk consulting with Ashley and Julian.

GEORGE PENDLETON (CONT'D)

Before this blood is dry, when

Stevens next takes the floor, taunt

him - you excel at that - get him

to proclaim what we all know he

believes in his coal-colored heart:

that this vote is meant to set the

black race on high, to niggerate

America.

FERNANDO WOOD

George, please. Stay on course.

GEORGE PENDLETON

Bring Stevens to full froth. I can

ensure that every newspaperman from

Louisville to San Francisco will be

here to witness it and print it.

Colfax gavels the chamber to order, as George Yeaman approaches the podium.

SCHUYLER COLFAX