Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
l8o LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
selves, heart and brain, to their countries' service,
while they were yet in the midst of their years,
when the body and the mind are both at their
best. Yet, before age had plucked the fire from
their hearts or dimmed the light in their eyes,
the heavy cares of state had plowed deep furrows
on their brows. Similar qualities begat for each
the same appellation. The countrymen of William
soon learned to call him ' Father William,'
and those of Lincoln learned to call him ' Father
Abraham.' The people believed in each, and
trusted each, as children believe and trust in their
fathers. While Abraham Lincoln lived and was
seen at the capital of the nation, the loyal people
never lost hope. Though a hundred battles
we fought and lost, Lincoln never doubted of
success, and the people shared his confidence.
In William, also, there was the same unwavering
and unfailing trust. In another respect these
men resembled each other. Both were remarkable
for an extremely cheerful disposition, and
withal for a capacity for the most serious devotion
to whatever business they might have in
hand. Both, too, were often berated for apparent
levity. But in character, as elsewhere, extremes
meet, and in this there is no contradiction.
The man who laughs heartiest is the man who
sorrows deepest, and the one extreme enables
him to support the other,