Summary

Chapter 5 depicts a conversation between Uncle Robin and “Moe, the white house slave” (40). Before Moe enters the room, Uncle Robin is conducting secretive business on the phone. When Moe enters, Robin acts docile, loyal, and dim-witted. Moe briefly suspects Robin of being more cunning and intelligent than he acts, but Moe soon dismisses the notion. Chapter 6 focuses on a conversation between Lincoln and one of Lincoln’s aides as they prepare to leave Virginia. Lincoln and the aide discuss the money given to them by Swille. They also discuss the state of the slaves under Swille’s subjugation. Lincoln thinks of slavery as “a subplot in this war” (46), but he suddenly has the idea to claim the moral high ground by making it the central issue of the war. He decides that he will sign a proclamation to emancipate all slaves to “make...