The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-28

1t has been left for an Englishman,
John Drinkwater, to write play
around one of the greatest figures IN
all history, who did much to mold the
destinies OF America. Happenings in
which Abraham Lincoln was the lead
ing factor at the height OF his career
have furnished the playwright his ma
terial And even that material was
culled from monograph on the great
emancipator by another Englishman
Lorn Charnwood.
Abraham Lincoln" is not a drama
In the strictest sense. II is more q
flash drama The audience IS per
mitted to look in upon Lincoln's life
at critical moments; to see the mans
character express itself; to see how
his influence affected the tenor OF
those vital civil war times; to feel the
bigness Of his heart. and know how pc
tent was his belief, with malice TO
ward none, with charity for all"
Mr.. Drinkwater has written his play
apparently according to his own stand
ards He minds few traditions Of tech
nique These are his six scenes:
!. Lincoln accepts, In his home al
Springfield, Ill, the invitation to rur
for the presidency.
2. Meeting representatives Of the
confederate states, Lincoln informs
them that the nation cannot exist hal
slave and half free and denies south
ern states the right to secede.
8. Two women give Lincoln theil
views on the war. He honors one fOl
being wrong, but noble, because she
desires the war stopped at once, al
though having sacrificed her son. The
other he censures for talking of re
venge and everlasting hat
A. Lincoln defines his policy, al
for the union" to his cabinet and re
primands an antagonistic member fol
intrigue.
8. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
Lincoln pardons a soldier sentenced
to death.
6. The assassination by John Wilke!
Booth.
abraham Lincoln" first was pro
duced by the Birmingham (England
Repertory theatre last year. It ha'
played for more than three hundred
nights at the Lyric theatre, London
William Harris, Jr., has obtained thu
American rights and will produce i
in New York early next month undo
the authors supervision. The follow
ing extracts from the play are reprint
ed by special permission Of the HOugh
ton, Mifflin company, who have pub
lished it in book form.
| AS typical Of the great emancipa
! tor, as we'll as Of the play, part o
scene five here is presented.
(Note-The character Hay is JOIN
| Hay, at that time Lincoln's privat
secretary
An April evening in 1865. A farm
house near AppomattoX. Genera
Grant, commander-in-ch under Lin
! coin. of the northern armies, is seatet
at a table with Captain Malins, al
aid-de-camp. He is smoking a ciga
! and at intervals he replenishes hi
glass of whisky Dennis, an orderly
sits at a table in the corner, writing
Grant consulting a large watch ly
ing in front of him)-An hour and
half. There ought to be somethin!
more from Meade by now.
(After studying it in silence)-Yes
/ There's no doubt about it. Unles
Meade goes to sleep it can only be
/ question of hours. Lees a great man
but he cant get out of that. If Lee
surrenders, we can all pack up TO
/ home. Can orderly comes in
/ Orderly-Mr. Lincoln has just al
rived, sir. He's in the yard now,
Grant-All right, I'll come.
The orderly goes. Grant rises an
crosses to the door, but is met by Lir
coin and Hay Lincoln, in top boot
and tall hat that has seen many can
paigns. shakes hands with Grant an
| takes Mains salute They sit.
Grant-Neade sent word an hou
and a half ago that Lee was surround
ed all but two miles, which was clos
! ing.
Lincoln-That ought about to settl
! it. oh?
Grant-Unless anything goes wron
! in those two miles. sir. I'm expecting
| further report from Meade every min
ute.
Lincoln-WouId there be more fight
ing
Grant-1t Will probably IAN fight
! ing through the night, more or less
But Lee must realize it's hopeless b.
! the morning.
Lincoln-We must be merciful. Bo'
Lee has been a gallant fellow.
Grant Naking a Daperl-Perhap
you'll look through this list, sir.
! hope it's the last we shall have.
Lincoln Gaking the paper)-It's
/ hOrrihlo ravt Or tho hucf0eSc Grant