Lincoln's friend

\\ Frederick Douglass approached the front door of the White House, seeking

admission into Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Ball. Just as Douglass

was about to knock on the door, two policemen seized him, barring the

black man's entrance. Douglass, a large, powerful man, brushed the

officers aside and stepped into the foyer. Once inside, two more officers

grabbed the uninvited guest, all the while uttering racial slurs.

As Douglass was being dragged from the hall, he cried to a nearby patron,

"Just say to Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglass is at the door!" Confusion

ensued. Then suddenly the officers received orders to usher Douglass into

the East Room. In that beautiful room, the great abolitionist stood in the

presence of the esteemed President. The place quieted as Lincoln

approached his newly arrived guest, hand outstretched in greeting, and

speaking in a voice loud enough so none could mistake his intent, the

President announced, "Here comes my friend Douglass."

The President had called Frederick Douglass friend. Who dared demean

Douglass if he was a friend of the President?