The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19


in the dark places of the city. seeking the
life of Mr.. Lincoln.
II stood near the steps of the east front
of THE Capitol when Mr. Lincoln appeared
and had the oath of office administered to
him by Chief Justice Chase. heard his re-
markable. memorable. and, / might say.
wonderful speech on that OCCASION. To me
he seemed more the saint aud prophet, III
his appearance as we'll as In his uteerance,
than he did the President of a great nation.
and tho Commander-ln-chlef of its army
and navy. To understand that brief speech
OF Mr. Lincoln's we must remember that he
had been fiercely and bitterly criticised
from ut least three different quarters. He
had been assaulted by Northern Democrats
for making the war an Abolition war; lie
had been denounced by the Aboliti0nists
for not ma king 1t an Abolition war. lie
WAS denounced for not making peace at
any price. and. again. for DOT prosecuting
the war with more vigor. He answered all
his critics with the following brief SEN
tence: 'Fondly do we hope. fervently do we
pray that this mighty scOurge of war will
soon pass away. Applause. Yet, If God
Wills that it continue until ali the wealth
piled by the bondsman's two hundred aud
fifty years OF unrequited toll shall be sunk.
and until every drop of blood drawn by
the lash shall be paid by another drawn by
the sword, as was said three Thousand years
ago. so still 1t must be said The Judg-
ments of the LORD are true and righteous
altogether Applause.
LtNCOLN SfOkE AS In lNSflkED.
This was said in q voice of deep solemni-
ty. bordering upon lnc0nsolable sadness;
but a v dice firm as the everlasting hills,
and as pure and clear as the brave old
overhanging sky There seemed at the
time to be in the mans soul the united
souls of all the Hebrew prophets. l was
much relieved W hen the President returned
In safety TO his room, for was all through
his speech. haunted with the thought that
be m ght be murdered before he could fin
ish W hat he had To say.
''In the evening attended Mr.. Lineoln's
inaugural reception. 1t was new expert
ence for WashlngtOn new experience for
me. and new experience for the country
to see q person like myself present on such
an occasion. Applause.l
IL was once In Albany. In company with
that prineely phllantbrOpist. the late Hon.
Gerritt Smith. and was invited with him to
dine with T.. G. Delavan. on eminent gen.
tleman of that city. / was about declining
TO accept this invitation, when the great
hearted Gerritt Smith said: oh. yes.
Douglass. 90. Some one must break the
icep Laughter. Well, / did co. and did
break the ice, and have been breaking Ice
ever since laughter ond some OF 1t pretty
hard and thick ice. Having witnessed the
Inauguration of MIR. Lincoln in the morn
ing. my colored friends urged me to attend
the inauguration reception at the executive
mansion In the evening. Here. indeed,
found solid ice to break. for no man OF my
race, color OF previous condition. had
ever attended such reception. except as
servant or waiter. did not look upon the
matter lightly. either eubjectively or OBJ
jectively. To me it was a serious thing to
break In upon the esta bllshed usage of the
country, and run the risk of being repulsed;
but | went TO the reception, determined to
break the Ice. which l did in an uneX-
peciedly rough way.
when myself and companion prese ted
ourselves at the door of the White House
we were met by two sturdy policemen. who
promptly informed us that we could not be
allowed TO enter. and when We attem pied
to enter without their consent they pus
us bock with some violence. l was, how
ever, determined not to be repulsed, and
forced myself and lady inside the door.
despite the guard. But my trouble was
not ended by that advantage. A police
frlendliness said to US: oh. yes; come this
way come this wayr Thinking that be
was about To conduct TO the famous
East Room, where the reception was pro-
ceedlpg. we followed the lead of our new,
red-faced, Durly, blue-coated friend; but
just when We thought that we were enter
ing. We found ourselves being conducted
through an outside window on @ plank + or
the exit of visitors. Laughter.
HERE COMES MY FRIEND DOUGLASS"
~ never before knew 80 exactly what is
meant by walking the plank Laughter. !
said. This will not do To gentleman
who was passing at the moment said.
Tell Mr.. Lincoln that Frederick Douglass
is at the door and is refused admission
did not walk the PLANK. and, to the poll &C.
mans astOnishment, was especially invited
into the spacious East Room, and we found
ourselves in a bewlderlng sea of beauty
and elegance lapplause such as my poor
at home or abroad. High above every other
figure In the room. and overlooking tho
brilliant scene stood the towering form of
Mr.. Lincoln. completely hemmed In by The
hand as they passed. The scene was SO
splendid, so glorious that l almost re-
pented of my audacty IN daring to enter.
but as soon as President Lincoln saw
me was relieved of all en- barrassment. In
loud voice. SO that ell could hear, and
looking toward me- he said, And here
comes my friend. Frederick Douglassr
[Good! Good!l / had some trouble in get
ting through the crowd of elegantly dressed
when did succeed, and shook hands
with him. ho detained me and said. Dong.
lass. saw you in the crowd to-day. listen
ing TO my inaugural address. How did you
like itf | replied. Mr.. Lincoln. i must not
wishing to shake your hand But be said
You must stop. There no man in the
United states whose opinion l value more
than l do yours. How did you like itp
Applause. i said, Mr.. Lincoln. it was a
sacred effort and passed on, amid some
smiles, much astonishment and some
frowns. And this was the last time that L
heard the voice and saw the face and form
of honest Abraham Lincoln.
"A few weeks later he fell before the bull
let of the assassin. His murder was the
natural outcome of q war for slavery. He
fell martyr to the same barbarous and
bloody spirit which now pursues. with out.
rage and vengeance. the people whom he
emancipated and whose freedom he Sc
cured. DID his firm hand now hold the
helm of state; did his brave spirit now ami
mate the Nation; did his wisdom now
shape and control the destiny of this other
WISE great Republic; did he now lead the
once great Republican party, we should
not now. hear from the Nations capital
the weak and helpless. the inconsistent
and Illuminating confession that, while
there are millions of money and ample
power in the United States government to
protect the lives and liberties of American
citizens in the repu blics of Hsyti and far
Off Chill. and in every other foreign conn
try on the globe. there Is no power under
the United States Constitution to protect
the lives and liberties of American citizens
in any one of our own Southern States from
barbarous. inhuman and lawless violence. 4"
Applause.