Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
58 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
commissioned by the electoral college of the
state to carry the vote to the capitol at Washington.
Mr. Douglass had been appointed by President
Grant in his first term a member of the council
of the District of Columbia, but was compelled, by
the pressure of other duties, to resign after a
short time, and his son Lewis was appointed to
the position. When Mr. Hayes became president,
he appointed Mr. Douglass marshal of the
district. Immediately a great cry was made
against this act of the president, and representatives
of the bar appeared before the Senate committee
for the purpose of defeating his confirmation.
Mr. Conkling, then a member of the Senate,
in executive session, made an able speech in support
of Mr. Douglass. Other members came to
his aid, and the Senate promptly confirmed the
appointment. One of the objections made to
Mr. Douglass holding the office of marshal was
that he would be required to introduce guests to
the president on state occasions. But this duty
did not by law devolve upon that officer. The
president could as well designate any other officer
at the capital to perform such service. Mr.
Douglass did, however, introduce to President
Hayes during his term of office many distinguished
persons, and he on such occasions was
always treated with the greatest courtesy by this