Existing comment:
The Second Inaugural Address:
On January 31, 1865, Lincoln used his influence to secure passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery throughout the United States. Five weeks later the president took the oath of office a second time. The sun came out from the clouds as he delivered his famous words, invoking the Almighty in justifying the long war, even as he appealed for a peace "with malice toward none, with charity for all."
"A Sacred Effort":
That night Lincoln welcomed Frederick Douglass to a White House reception. "There is no man in the country whose opinion I value more than yours," said the president. "I want to know what you thought of it."
In response, Douglass called the speech "a sacred effort." Lincoln beamed. It was the last time the two men would meet. |