In 1863 the Government, following logically the policy of the Emancipation act, began the experiment of introducing colored soldiers into our armies.  This caused not only intense anger at the South, but much doubt and dissatisfaction at the North.  To discuss some of the practical and difficult questions growing out of this measure, Frederick Douglass, the most distinguished representative of the race which America had so long held in chains, was presented to the President.  The account of the conference, given by Douglass, is singularly interesting.  He says:  “I was never more quickly or more completely put at ease in the presence of a great man than in that of Abraham Lincoln.  He was seated, when I entered, in a low arm-chair, with his feet extended on the floor, surrounded by a large number of documents and several busy secretaries.  The room bore the marks of business, and the persons in it, the President included, appeared to be much overworked and tired.  Long lines of care were already deeply written on Mr. Lincoln’s brow, and his strong face, full of earnestness, lighted up as soon as my name was mentioned.  As I approached and was introduced to him, he arose and extended his hand, and bade me welcome.  I at once felt myself in the presence of an honest man—­one whom I could love, honor, and trust, without reserve or doubt.  Proceeding to tell him who I was and what I was doing, he promptly but kindly stopped me, saying:  ’I know who you are, Mr. Douglass; Mr. Seward has told me all about you.  Sit down; I am glad to see you.’  I urged, among other things, the necessity of granting the colored soldiers equal pay and promotion with white soldiers, and retaliation for colored prisoners killed by the enemy.  Mr. Lincoln admitted the justice of my demand for equal pay and promotion of colored soldiers, but on the matter of retaliation he differed from me entirely.  I shall never forget the benignant expression of his face, the tearful look of his eye, and the quiver in his voice, when he deprecated a resort to retaliatory measures.  ‘Once begun,’ said he, ’I do not know where such a measure would stop.’  He said he could not take men out and kill them in cold blood for what was done by others.  If he could get hold of the persons who were guilty of killing the colored prisoners in cold blood, the case would be different; but he could not kill the innocent for the guilty.  Afterwards we discussed the means most desirable to be employed outside the army to induce the slaves in the rebel States to come within the Federal lines.  The increasing opposition to the war in the North, and the mad cry against it because it was being made an abolition war, alarmed Mr. Lincoln, and made him apprehensive that a peace might be forced upon him which would leave still in slavery all who had not come within our lines.  What he wanted was to make his proclamation as effective as possible in the event of such a peace.  He said, in a regretful tone, ’The slaves are not