Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

The House celebrates abolition's passage, and Stevens borrows the official amendment to take home.

Scene 87 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

The Clerk Of The House
Thaddeus Stevens

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:52 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 87

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.
Scenes 17–84
Lincoln bargains, delays peace commissioners, confronts family costs and defends the vote against postponement.
Just before
Scene 84
Lincoln and Tad study a book of animal and insect varieties while waiting for the result.
Scene 85
Colfax casts his own aye and announces that the amendment has passed with a two-vote margin.
Scene 86
Bells and cannon announce victory; Lincoln raises the window and rests his hand on Tad's head.
Scene 87
This scene

87INT. THE HOUSE CHAMBER, THE CAPITOL - LATE AFTERNOON

Representatives throw papers in the air, embrace, weep, shout, dance, climb on desks. In the balcony, Mary stands slowly, beyond tears or joy; Mrs. Keckley stands with her, smiling, crying. Preston Blair applauds vigorously. The black visitors join the general exultation, overwhelmed, some praying, others embracing and weeping.

Latham's, Schell's and Bilbo's seats are empty; they've gone.

Ashley, grinning from ear to ear, tears streaming down his face, is hoisted up on shoulders and marched around the room, as on the floor and in the balcony, people start singing "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

Pendleton, with the face of someone who's seen his world collapse into ruin, walks straight at Yeaman, who's listening to the singing, deeply moved, his face full of wonder. Pendleton turns, without a word, and leaves the House.

Yeaman laughs, and loudly joins in singing.

Stevens clumps over to the Clerk of the House, who is placing his tallies and the official copy of the amendment bill in a folio. He looks up.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

Congratulations, Mr. Chairman.

THADDEUS STEVENS

The bill, Mr. McPherson, may I...?

The Clerk hands the bill to Stevens, who folds it and pockets it.

THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

That's...That's the official bill.

THADDEUS STEVENS

I'll return it in the morning.

Creased, but unharmed.