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LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS 291

hood, and his mouth and other features the highest perfection of a genuine
manhood. His picture, now before me in my study, by Marshall, corresponds
well with the impression I have of him. But, alas! what are all good and great
qualities; what are human hopes and human happiness to the revengeful
hand of an assassin? What are sweet dreams of peace; what are visions of the
future? A simple leaden bullet, and a few grains of powder, in the shortest
limit of time, are sufficient to blast and ruin all that is precious in human
existence, not alone of the murdered, but of the murderer. I write this in the
deep gloom flung over my spirit by the cruel, wanton, and cold-blooded
assassination of Abraham Garfield, as well as that of Abraham Lincoln.
I was in Rochester, N. Y., where I then resided, when news of the death
of Mr. Lincoln was received. Our citizens, not knowing what else to do in
the agony of the hour, betook themselves to the City Hall. Though all hearts
ached for utterance, few felt like speaking. We were stunned and overwhelmed
by a crime and calamity hitherto unknown to our country and our
government. The hour was hardly one for speech, for no speech could rise to
the level of feeling. Doctor Robinson, then of Rochester University, but now
or Brown University, Providence, R. I., was prevailed upon to take the stand,
and made one of the most touching and eloquent speeches I ever heard. At
the close of his address. I was called upon, and spoke out of the fullness of
my heart, and, happily, I gave expression to so much of the soul of the people
present, that my voice was several times utterly silenced by the sympathetic
tumult of the great audience. I had resided long in Rochester, and had made
many speeches there which had more or less touched the hearts of my hearers,
but never till this day was l brought into such close accord with them.
We shared in common a terrible calamity, and this "touch of nature made us"
more than countrymen, it made us "kin."

CHAPTER XIII.

VAST CHANGES.

Satisfaction and anxiety — New field of labor opening — Lyceeums and colleges soliciting
addresses — Literary attractions — Pecuniary gain — Still pleading for human rights — President
Andy Johnson — Colored delgation — Their reply to him — National Loyalist Convention,
1866, and its procession — Not wanted — Meeting with an old friend — Joy and surprise— The
old master's welcome, and Miss Amanda's friendship — Enfranchisment discussed — its
accomplishment — The negro a citizen.

When the war for the Union was substantially ended, and peace had dawned