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turning to page one
Stevens, at the podium, is being challenged by Fernando Wood, standing at his desk.
FERNANDO WOOD
I've asked you a question, Mr.
Stevens, and you must answer me. Do
you or do you not hold that the
precept that "all men are created
equal" is meant literally?
All eyes are on Stevens, the chamber quiet except for a scratching sound: the journalists have begun scribbling.
FERNANDO WOOD (CONT'D)
Is that not the true purpose of the
amendment? To promote your ultimate
and ardent dream to elevate -
THADDEUS STEVENS
The true purpose of the amendment,
Mr. Wood, you perfectly-named,
brainless, obstructive object?
FERNANDO WOOD
You have always insisted, Mr.
Stevens, that Negroes are the same
as white men are.
THADDEUS STEVENS
The true purpose of the amendment -
Stevens looks up at the balcony, at the waiting journalists, and Mary, who raises her eyebrows, then at Ashley and Litton at their desks. Seward watches from the balcony.
Stevens returns to Wood.
THADDEUS STEVENS (CONT'D)
I don't hold with equality in all
things only with equality before
the law and nothing more.
FERNANDO WOOD
(SURPRISED:)
That's not so! You believe that
Negroes are entirely equal to white
men. You've said it a thousand
times -
GEORGE PENDLETON
(leaping to his feet)
For shame! For shame! Stop
prevaricating and answer
Representative Wood!
THADDEUS STEVENS GEORGE PENDLETON
(stands:) all things, only with
After the decades of fervent
equality before the law and
advocacy on behalf of the nothing
more. colored race -
JAMES ASHLEY
(LEAPING UP:)
He's answered your questions!
This amendment has naught to do
with race equality!
Pendleton persists, through cheers and catcalls.
GEORGE PENDLETON THADDEUS STEVENS
You have long insisted, have I
don't hold with equality in you
not, that the dusk- all things only
with equality colored race is no
different before the law and
nothing from the white one. more.
Among the amendment's supporters, including Vintner Litton, a GROUP OF WOMEN SUFFRAGISTS in the balcony, and Elizabeth Keckley, there's visible, audible shock and dismay at Stevens's capitulation. Mary's surprised by Stevens, and impressed.
MARY
(whispering to Mrs. KECKLEY:)
Who'd ever've guessed that old
nightmare capable of such control?
He might make a politician someday -
ELIZABETH KECKLEY
(STANDING ABRUPTLY:)
I need to go.
Mary's startled. Mrs. Keckley leaves the balcony, pushing past journalists. On the floor:
GEORGE PENDLETON
Your frantic attempt to delude us
now is unworthy of a
representative. It is, in fact,
unworthy of a white man!
THADDEUS STEVENS
(giving in to his anger:)
How can I hold that all men are
created equal, when here before me -
(pointing to Pendleton:)
- stands stinking the moral carcass
of the gentleman from Ohio, proof
that some men are inferior, endowed
by their Maker with dim wits
impermeable to reason with cold
pallid slime in their veins instead
of hot red blood! You are more
reptile than man, George, so low
and flat that the foot of man is
incapable of crushing you!
General uproar.
GEORGE PENDLETON
HOW DARE YOU!
THADDEUS STEVENS
Yet even you, Pendleton, who should
have been gibbetted for treason
long before today, even worthless
unworthy you ought to be treated
equally before the law! And so
again, sir, and again and again and
again I say: I DO NOT HOLD WITH EQUALITY IN ALL THINGS. ONLY WITH EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW.
Ashley sits, nearly weeping with relief, while the chamber explodes: laughter, applause, boos.
GEORGE PENDLETON
MR. SPEAKER, WILL YOU PERMIT THIS
VILE BOORISH MAN TO SLANDER AND TO
THREATEN ME AND -
The journalists pack up their notebooks; this is fun, but not newsworthy, and only a few bother to record it.
Stevens limps out through the aisle to wild Republican applause. He looks up to the balcony; Mary is looking down approvingly. He looks down before she can see him smile.