Douglass was very active in the recruitment of black men into the union army and he was concerned about their treatment. Lincoln knew the issues but allowed him to take his time and listened to Douglass articulate the problems in his unique way. He studied the man before him and could not help but recall a book that had fascinated him in the early 1850’s, “The Vestiges of Creation”. The anonymous Scottish author posited from scientific observation that despite traditional thought, all of the human races come from the same original source, even the most different, the Africans. He proposed a scientific interpretation of creation. The universe, our earth and life developed, evolved over time through the wisdom of providence. Many Americans believed that Frederick Douglass was a very formidable and talented mimic who could only pretend to have the attributes of a civilized white man. Lincoln believed in the sense of "the Vestiges" and understood Douglass to be an original; now face to face he came to respect him even more. Douglass had a large fund of knowledge, he was logical and creative. They understood each other easily although they didn’t always agree.
Douglass also became more comfortable as he discerned that his conversation with the President was about substance, an honest exchange of views. Lincoln first heard him out about equal pay and opportunities for black soldiers to become officers. Douglass was surprised that he was not interrupted and by Lincoln’s direct and honest response that just having black soldiers was difficult to digest for many people. Continued good performance would eventually get them equal pay and opportunity. Then they discussed the confederate’s threat to kill any captured black soldiers and the option of executing captured confederates in retaliation. Lincoln could not stomach it, killing someone for another’s crime. Lincoln’s pain at the prospect was palpable and though Douglass did not agree with him, he understood that the decision was about morality, not racism.
Lincoln then mentioned a recent speech by Douglass. He quoted Douglass from memory where he said what concerned him most was the “tardy, hesitating and vacillating policy of the President of the United States.” Lincoln was not upset but wanted Douglass to know that once he made up his mind he would not change it. Douglass was surprised that the President of the United States had cared to study his speeches; he had never experienced such openness and respect, equipoise, from a white man of great power.
Lincoln was also impressed and would say that “Douglass is one of the most meritorious men in America”. Despite the considerable public criticism Douglass had heaped on Lincoln for several years, there was something familiar and comfortable about his manner. Douglass was to the point, articulate and pleasant, a rare combination in Washington, let alone in an escaped slave. “The Vestiges of Creation” allowed that it was not possible for a race to develop high civilization if its members were mired in subsistence living. Lincoln knew that lesson from his own life. Douglass knew it too; he believed that he only became the man he was after he accepted the support and company of the members of the abolition movement. The irony was not lost on Lincoln that even more than himself, Douglass was a living demonstration of the possibilities for a talented man no matter how humble his origin in a free country. Their first meeting was concluded. As they stood Lincoln smiled and in his open country fashion said “Douglass, never come to Washington without calling upon me.”
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