-18-

SELLERS

Come close, keep this to yourselves, walls have got ears.

(They gather around SELLERS.)

Dilworthy and I have talked it over.

HAWKINS
(Somewhat disgusted.)

You've talked it over?

SELLERS

We've got our plans.

HAWKINS

Well, what are your plans?

SELLERS

You know Dilworthy's the father of the down trodden Negro!

HAWKINS

Indeed? I'd no idea—

SELLERS

Metaphorically, I mean. He's their Aaron . He's their Moses . He's their benefactor . Now our [great and] glorious Union has set the Negro free, what shall we do with [them]?

HAWKINS

Support [them] I suppose.

SELLERS

No, no, Si, that's where you're wrong, that's where your gigantic intellect doesn't come to your rescue. No, teach him to support himself, now how is this to be done?

(Pauses but no answer.)

Why, by establishing universities where all the industries can be taught. Now where shall those universities be established?

(Pauses again but HAWKINS shakes his head.)

Why, upon your property in the knobs of East Tennessee. Now, why upon your property? Because upon your property all the minerals abound: coal, iron, copper, glorious fields, magnificent pastures, everything that's wanted. No how is the Government to be possessed of this noble domain?

(Pauses, but HAWKINS can't conceive how.)

Let Congress buy it!