Killing Lincoln

Washington, D.C. celebrates Lee’s surrender and that the four-year war is now over, despite with more than 600,000 total dead. Soon the revelers make their way to the White House, where they hope to not only see Lincoln but maybe hear one of his famous speeches. Their path takes them by the Capitol Building, which is one of Lincoln’s most important endeavors. Even when resources were low during the war, work on the building continued as Lincoln sees it as a symbol of the nation. A crowd of almost 2,000 people walk to the White House and call for Lincoln to give a speech. Lincoln is in no mood to give a speech, but he has to go outside—unprotected—to retrieve 12-year-old Tad Lincoln, who wants to celebrate with the revelers. He finally tells the crowds that if they return the next day, he will give a speech. He knows they want to hear a speech about retribution and punishment, but Lincoln feels that the real truth of reunification and leniency must be expressed to the masses. He then has the band play “Dixie” and retreats back into the White House.