Abraham Lincoln in his Times Chapter 21 Democratic Eloquence Part 5

Abraham Lincoln in his Times Chapter 21 Democratic Eloquence Part 5

Given the progressive thrust of the speech, it is no wonder that those who responded to it most passionately were African Americans. A kind of political sermon, the address had the call-and-response rhythms of an evangelical service. Standing behind and above Lincoln on the Capitol steps were black people who murmured “Bless the Lord!” after almost every sentence. 89 Among the African Americans in the audience was Frederick Douglass. During the inauguration ceremony, Andrew Johnson spotted Douglass in the crowd and gave him an instinctive look of “bitter contempt and aversion,” which he quickly tried to cover up with “a bland and sickly smile.” Douglass muttered to a friend who stood nearby, “Whatever Andrew Johnson may be, he certainly is no friend of our race.” 90  Lincoln made an altogether different impression on Douglass that day. At a White House reception that evening, Douglass made his way to Lincoln, despite having trouble getting past entrance guards because of his color. The pr…