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LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS 285

years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and
righteous altogether.'

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the
right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are
in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the
battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may achieve and
cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

I know not how many times, and before how many people I have quoted
these solemn words of our martyred president; they struck me at the time,
and have seemed to me ever since to contain more vital substance than I have
ever seen compressed in a space so narrow; yet on this memorable occasion
when I clapped my hands in gladness and thanksgiving at their utterance, I
saw in the faces of many about me expressions of widely different
emotion.

On this inauguration day, while waiting for the opening of the ceremonies.
I made a discovery in regard to the Vice-President — Andrew Johnson.
There are moments in the lives of most men, when the doors of their souls
are open, and unconsciously to themselves, their true characters may be read
by the observant eye. It was at such an instant I caught a glimpse of the real
nature of this man, which all subsequent dewlopments proved true. I was
standing in the crowd by the side of Mrs. Thomas J. Dorsey, when Mr.
Lincoln touched Mr. Johnson, and pointed me out to him. The first expression
which came to his face, and which I think was the true index of his
heart, was one of bitter contempt and aversion. Seeing that I observed him,
he tried to assume a more friendly appearance; but it was too late; it was
useless to close the door when all within had been seen. His first glance was
the frown of the man, the second was the bland and sickly smile of the demagogue.
I turned to Mrs. Dorsey and said, "Whatever Andrew Johnson may
be, he certainly is no friend of our race."

No stronger contrast could well be presented between two men than
between President Lincoln and Vice-President Johnson on this day. Mr.
Lincoln was like one who was treading the hard and thorny path of duty and
self-denial; Mr. Johnson was like one just from a drunken debauch. The face
of the one was full of manly humility, although at the topmost height of
power and pride, the other was full of pomp and swaggering vanity. The fact
was, though it was yet early in the day, Mr. Johnson was drunk.

In the evening of the day of the inauguration, another new experience
awaited me. The usual reception was given at the executive mansion, and
though no colored persons had ever ventured to present themselves on such