Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.
In his autobiography, Douglass offers a nuanced assessment of Abraham Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War, considering public opinion.
Share
More from Frederick Douglass
The anti-slavery platform had performed its work, and my voice was no longer needed.
True it is that this faith was many times shaken by passing events, but never destroyed.
Land is not worth much where there are no people to occupy it, and a mule is not worth much where there is no one to drive him.
I wished it was possible I could remain small all my life, knowing that the sooner I grew large the shorter would be my time to remain with them.