Booth counted the pages he"d written in his letter to the National Intelligencer. It was already six pages long, but he couldn"t cut one single word. The world had to know how he felt, and why his act was justified. He dipped his pen in the inkwell and continued writing:
If the South is to be aided, it must be done quickly. It may already be too late. When Caesar had conquered the enemies of Rome and the power that was his menaced the liberties of the people, Brutus arose and slew him. The stroke of his dagger was guided by his love of Rome. It was the spirit and ambition of Caesar that Brutus struck at.
“Oh, that we could come by Caesar"s spirit,
And not dismember Caesar!
But Alas! Caesar must bleed for it.”
I answer with Brutus:
He who loves his country better than gold or life.
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