Mister Garrison and Mister Douglass immediately greeted us.
“My dear James, how good of you to be able on such short notice to come and dine with Mister Douglass and myself.”
“Thank you so much, Mister Garrison…”
“Please, feel free to call me by my first name, William, if that would not offend you. And please, introduce us to your lovely company. Ladies, and young gentlemen, first allow me to introduce my distinguished friend, Mister Frederick Douglass.”
Introductions were immediately made by James of all his traveling companions. By the look upon his handsome face, I could easily see how proud he was of his sister-in-law and his nephews and niece.
“And finally, gentlemen, allow me to introduce my dear friend, Elizabeth Grace Fitzgerald. Miss Fitzgerald, as you may already know, is a reporter covering the Convention for the Philadelphia Inquirer.”
Mister Douglass took and gracefully kissed the back of my hand, with the slightest bow.
“How delightful to finally meet you, Miss Fitzgerald”, the stately black man declared.
“I have heard much about you and have read, with great delight, many of your articles, particularly those regarding the plight of the slaves as they attempt to make their way to freedom and safety from the slave hunters of the Deep South.”
“Thank you, Sir,” I responded with some blushing under the eye of this significant man. “My work as a reporter is as passionate to me as your work in striving for the freedom and justice of your people.”
“My people? I am afraid you have me quite wrong, my dear. These are not my people, but God’s own people. It is His work that I do, in striving to assure the freedom of all people, regardless of the color of their skin or the sex they were born.”
“My humblest apologies, Sir. I meant no disrespect. I am aware that you are also striving for the rights of women, as well as the person held in bondage and slavery.”
“No apology is needed, my dear Miss Fitzgerald. Now, let us go in to our table for the evening. Would you do me the great honor of sitting by my side, so that we can share in lively discussion together? I know by your reputation, and now in the meeting, that you are indeed a person with the lively ability to engage and banter.”
With that exchange, we all laughed together and entered the Lion and the Lamb for a wonderful evening of dining and discussion. I sat to the right of Mister Douglass, and Caroline, also taken by the handsome gentleman, insisted that she should sit on his left. He was most flattered by her request and immediately granted it, with the permission of her mother.
As the evening wore on, both Mister Garrison and Mister Douglass shared many tales of their work in winning the freedom of slaves and attempting to abolish slavery, altogether, in the United States. Mister Douglass and Mister Garrison were of different opinions regarding the Constitution of the United States in condoning or condemning slavery. Mister Garrison felt that the Constitution was used to keep slavery as a practice, and Mister Douglass felt the Constitution could be used in supporting the freedom of the slaves and ending the practice.
Mister Douglass also stated that he was looking forward to the Convention and having the opportunity to speak out against the use of alcohol in the treatment of slaves.
“So you see, my dear Elizabeth, the slave holders often force liquor upon the slaves to keep them under alcoholic influence, making it even more difficult for the poor souls to think enough to make their escape.”
Mister Douglass and I had, by this point of the evening, given to calling each other by our first names. This was certainly a sign of the growing fondness between us, as well as Frederick’s trust of me as a reporter to share correctly what I would be told in an interview. Mister Douglass was an easy man to like and to listen to. It was effortless to see why so many women, as it had been rumored, were without difficulty attracted to him.
The hour was late and the children, as well as Constance, were exhausted. Caroline had fallen fast asleep upon the lap of Mister Douglass, and had remained there as he gently stroked her thick, auburn hair. Mister Douglass remarked earlier in the evening how he missed his own children, who were still in Massachusetts, along with his wife, Anna. He went on to share that his daughter, Rosetta, was about the age of Caroline, and that he hoped both children would have the opportunity to meet someday.
Mister Garrison called for his carriage, to return all of us to our lodging for the night. As James escorted Constance and the boys to the waiting coach, Mister Douglass carried the sleeping Caroline in his arms with such tenderness. He gently kissed her cheek as he placed her in her waiting mother’s arms, and quietly spoke “goodnight, little one” to the child.
Frederick turned to me before I boarded the coach, “Elizabeth, this is how it should be for all God’s children. Not one should ever be stolen, or sold from the arms of their mother or father. Not one should have to be placed in the servitude of another, placed in bondage to do another man’s bidding. Neither slavery nor poverty, nor any other thing on the face of this earth, should be allowed to rob a child of a parent’s love. Can you understand this, my dear?”
As I looked into the eyes of this distinguished gentleman, with his soft, yet powerful speech, his broad and strong shoulders, his stately appearance and gentle ways, I caught a glimpse of a tear in the corner of his eyes, telling me of the deep suffering and longing for his own mother and familiar love.
I wanted to take him into my own arms and hold him close, to assure him that indeed I understood. I wanted to let him know that he was, at this very moment, loved by many, his wife and children still in Massachusetts, his many readers and the listeners of his words, by children everywhere, and by me.
I took liberty that I rarely take in times like these. I reached for the dear man’s hand, held it to my breast and kissed him ever so gently on his cheek.
“I understand, my dearest Frederick, I understand.”
We then bid a good night to one another. I would not see him again until he was on stage before the Temperance Convention several nights later.