The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-27
LINCOLN on THE STAGE.
Benjamin Chaplin rs the Wartime Presi-
dent PieaseS His Audience.

Oent ElcaSeS hlS Auuleuce.
Around the character of Lincoln and his
life in the White House during the dark
est days Of the civil war Benjamin Chaplin
has built a play which was produced for
the frst time at the Liberty Theatre last
night and held the attention of the audi
ence from the first act TO the last. The
author took the title part, that OF Lincoln,
himself.
Mr.. Chaplin himself resembles the great
President closely in height and in build.
The picture he presented was that of a
tall, ungainly man with legs stretching
away somewhere into space and a peculiar
gait. As he went through the acts of the
play reciting many Of Iincoln's familiar
evident sympathy.
The scenes Of the play are laid in the
White House, with one exception. In the
first act Lincoln, the man" is portrayed
surrounded by Mrs. Lincoln. TAD Lincoln
and Kate Norris, Mrs. Lincoln's niece.
play. She falls in love with one OF the
Bixby boys and excites the jealousy Of
her guardian, MAJOR Flood, who is a Con-
iederate spy. Lincoln receives the Sumter
telegram and selects Stanton as his Score
Ary Of War against the advice of Mrs.
lincoln.
The second act brings the story TO the
day before Gettysburg. There are no more
men 10 send TO Meade and the city Gems
with spies, But I lincoln keeps up his Won
aerful spirits, has words OF encouragement
'or all and drives Stanton from the room
ny telling stories. The audience roared
with laughter at some Of the scenes between
10 MEADE ia in danger OF capture through a
Ietel pot and Lincoln sends BirbV. unknown
70 Stanton and HoOser, to change its course
abd save it.
The third act contains the great scene OF
ne play. 1t is the Presidents office at
night and a storm is raging outside, The
news comes that the supply train has been
captured through treachery. and StrbV is
arrested and brought in by Stanton as a spy
WmtouRh the Vaccinations OF Major Flood.
ne Is sentenced to die, but Lincoln sends for
nin after a scene wit his sweetheart hears
,%nuse and gives him another chance to find
me real traitor. Outside delegations wait
seeking to destroy Lincoln.
Just as the morning breaks Stanton and
bbo'ker rush in with kilograms from Grant,
N,ppSecrans, and finally one from Meade
"iihg that Gettysburg has been won.
49, Knew Grant would keep his word. "
@ys Lincoln as he sinks in his chair, and
nchaliy when he hears the full story Of
Setlysourg. he weeps. As the curtain
vent down the audience stood on their
,eet while @s Star Spangled Banner"
.Dr a speech from Mr.. Chaplin, but he de-
ulhed with a succession Of bows.
In the last act The President and Mrs.
IIthcoin are shown dressed to go to Ford's
%Lneatre. Birby returns with the former
sare of Major Flood, who carried the
aters messag e that enabled Stuart to
%Gtnre the baggage train, and Miss Norris
@up Blrby are reunited before the President.
u%frSncis McGinn took the part OF Ed,pin
T. T. %n,dnton,, Maude Granger was Mrs.
lincoln and Daisy Lowering her niece.
easter George Clarke acted Tad lincoln
Nen enough to get his share Of the APP
Aomiral Coghlan with part OF his staff
Ia present in a box and led in much of
hoeived. ~