Lincoln recognized that completing the Capitol Dome would send a signal to the nation and the world about a strong United States.

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Lincoln recognized that he needed Douglass on his side to help him achieve his chief aim, which is winning the war because Lincoln finally realized that in order to win the war, he needed blacks on his side.

NPR: Lincoln and Douglass Shared Uncommon Bond

Douglass recognized that he needed Lincoln on his side to help him achieve his chief aim of ending slavery and trying to bring about racial equality.

NPR: Lincoln and Douglass Shared Uncommon Bond

He says, I never recognized the degree to which Lincoln hated slavery as at that meeting.

NPR: Lincoln and Douglass Shared Uncommon Bond