(7) We Must Do Something About The Slaves Left Behind

   When Lincoln and Douglass met for the second time it was Lincoln who initiated the discussion.  He explained the need to respond to conservative Northerners who were concerned that the war was turning into a contest over abolition.  If this were true they would withdraw their support.   Lincoln had written a letter that he wanted Douglass to read.  But Douglass was too shocked by Lincoln’s appearance, the deepening lines in his face, the palpable depression and the dimming of the light in his eyes.  He lost track of what Lincoln was saying and was not sure what to do with the paper in his hands.  He started to read by habit and was shocked back to the task at hand.  He realized that he was being asked to offer an opinion about the utility of the letter, it was intended for publication.  The letter was addressed to those who were concerned that Lincoln had expanded the war, to make it about abolition.  Douglass was disgusted with the appeasing tone, it indicated that Lincoln could not go back on emancipation because of expediency issues.  Where was Lincoln’s backbone, slavery was just wrong, say it.  Lincoln asked if he should send the letter.  Douglass calmed himself before answering and then said, “Certainly not”.  There are parts of the letter that may be misconstrued and you seem to say that you would not rescind the Emancipation Proclamation because it would not be legal when the real reason is because it would be a great moral wrong.  Lincoln considered in his slow way, unembarrassed.  A secretary announced that Governor Buckingham of Connecticut, an important political ally and good friend had arrived and Douglass offered to leave but Lincoln said that he had more to discuss with him, the Governor could wait.

   Lincoln paused for a moment and appeared to focus his energy, and then he spoke of those remaining enslaved.  Gaining conviction he said that even with sure defeat in the coming election, together, they could accomplish much more.     Lincoln said that if the war ends now it will be premature, all of the slaves still in bondage will remain so, only the escaped slaves behind union lines would be free. Douglass realized that Lincoln was now coming around to what he had been saying for years.  Why have slaves only escaped in the thousands, why not in millions?  Douglass said that the slave owners controlled information and most slaves probably did not know about the emancipation proclamation. If they knew about it, they did not know where to go. 

   Finding common ground they were less guarded and discovered more shared history as they talked for another hour.  Lincoln knew that his recent focus on his early years was re-introducing some of the spirit and language of the Bible into his vocabulary.  Douglass spoke the same spiritual language.  They had both been exposed to the Bible at an early age and it was one of the first books that they had learned to read.  After suffering the rejection of their respective fathers they found special comfort in selections from the Bible.  Later in their education they also came to accept the thinking of the Enlightenment and the natural rights of man.  They understood its expression in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Thankful to the United Sates they knew with absolute certainty that anywhere else in the world they would have remained for all of their lives as they were born, peasant and slave.

   Would Douglass organize a group to go into the South behind enemy lines, to educate the slaves about the possibility of escape and freedom? To help them leave in large numbers?  It would be very dangerous.  Douglass understood and accepted.  He also understood Lincoln and the politics of the presidency better.  
   Governor Buckingham, distinguished and amiable was finally shown into the office.  Lincoln never sent the letter.  Douglass would never stop criticizing policy but he would no longer directly criticize Lincoln.

   Much to his surprise Douglass realized that he and Lincoln were working together as equals with a shared goal.  He was flattered with his new position beside the president in history and eager to formulate strategy.  Leaving the office he recalled a particular scene in the play, Julius Caesar.  Brutus and Cassius lead an army to war in an effort to save the Roman Republic from Caesar’s dictatorship.  After planning their decisive battle, mutually sure of their cause but uncertain of their survival Brutus says to Cassius, “if we see each other again we will smile, if not this was a parting well made.”