After the parade back from the capitol the White House doors were opened and the public invited in to greet the president. Thousands of excited citizens gathered for the opportunity. Douglass also wanted to experience the reception and his friends agreed that it was an excellent idea for a black man to attend. But they were all “too busy” to come along. It took considerable effort to find someone with sufficient courage to accompany him. Douglass was well known to have been roughly handled before in such confrontations with a particular affinity for being thrown off of trains reserved only for whites. He knew that with the assumption of new freedom came risk and said that if the black man is to have rights, he will have to take them.
White House guards spotted Douglass in line attempting to enter the White House as a citizen on Inauguration Day. They told him that he would not be allowed in because of White House policy. Douglass told them they were mistaken, he was sure that Mr. Lincoln would want to see him. The men finally relented taking him to a special entrance which Douglass realized was a rouse to escort him away from the White House. A friend, closer in line to the White House entrance told the president what was happening. Lincoln was glad that Douglass had come and instructed the guards to bring “my friend Douglass” in. Lincoln watched him walk through the reception, waiting for Douglass to meet his gaze and when he did they nodded at each other. Lincoln smiled and Douglass followed with one less expansive. They shook hands and Lincoln asked him what he thought of his speech. Douglass was aware of the long line of people who had been waiting for their moment with the President; he glanced at them and said that he could not impose on their time now.
Lincoln then suddenly became aware that he was speaking with a Black Man. He was shocked because by contrast for the last few minutes he had only been aware that he was speaking with a man. Lincoln felt suddenly vulnerable, he was always careful and guarded, and always acutely aware with whom he was speaking. Was he too comfortable with Douglass? He was becoming a friend. And yet there was something different about him, a complex attitude of control and judgment that he wore like a mask and resisted Lincoln’s attempts to see through. He would have to know Douglass better.
Douglass was aware of the historical moment but not of the prospect of friendship, it would not happen. He could respect Lincoln for his humanity and courage on behalf of his race. He could be proud of his meaningful relationship with the President of the United States. He could like the man. But while aware of the political and social restraints which the President had to deal with he could not forget what Lincoln had said about colonization and that for every day Lincoln and his people delayed their full support of the slave’s unconditional humanity, millions suffered.
Lincoln pressed him to give his opinion of the speech. He was putting him on the spot in a very public place but he was confident that Douglass would say something worthy. Douglass knew that his comment would be reported and could tarnish or enhance his reputation. He wanted to answer but so many others had waited longer to speak with Lincoln. Douglass hesitated.
“The public will wait until I hear what you have to say” Lincoln said.
Douglass finally replied, “It was a sacred effort”.
The words were right and Lincoln smiled and shook his hand again. So Douglass understood. His remark caused Lincoln to consider the conclusion of psalm nineteen, words he always heard more as a poem, now in a new and personal way. It was an interpretation that brought Lincoln’s second inaugural address into focus and later upon reflection he realized his life’s direction into focus. “May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable to you Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
He allowed Douglass to move on. Watching him leave Lincoln thought of a line from Shakespeare, “this was a parting well made” and smiled. He wished to share its context with Douglass but he was too far away. It would wait until next time.
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