In the summers of 1863 and 1864, Frederick Douglass, the famous black abolitionist, and President Lincoln met privately to discuss affairs of state. They must have been fascinating meetings, as two of the most powerful and influential men of the time violently disagreed about certain topics. Now Ford’s Theatre has commissioned Richard Hellesen to write a play on those meetings, allowing us to overhear their probable substance and tone. One thing Lincoln and Douglass clearly disagreed about was the speed with which all states could be completely free of slavery, although at the beginning of the play, Lincoln (David Selby) has delivered the Emancipation Proclamation. At the behest of his friend George Stearns (Michael Kramer), Douglass (Craig Wallace) goes to Lincoln and challenges him to give meaning to the proclamation’s words. Lincoln is cautious, concerned about politics and the slow process of gaining positive public opinion.

Douglass, an ex-slave, is restless and interested in gaining specific advantages for black soldiers: equal pay compared with white soldiers and the possibility of promotions. With rioting going on in New York, Lincoln fears that the time is not right for across-the-board changes to the way the Army does business. It’s this structure of Douglass pushing and Lincoln resisting that provides the drama through much of “Necessary Sacrifices,” until just before its end.