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Evaluating any 18th or19th century leaders statements, by 21st century idiom, would it seems, be patently unfair.
Lincoln, as with any 19th century leader, was a 'man of his time', and what seemed commonplace then, has proven by 21st century standards..to be sub-standard.
He spoke openly about his ideas on the potential of some people, which was to present day sensibilities, very wrong! Far enough, I never vouched for his perfection. In the end, he did the right thing, ending the practice of some men owning other men!
However, since we bring up some statements by Lincoln, let us compare some by the president of the confederacy. Jeff Davis was a West Point grad, and thus relatively well educated, and not one who just blusters, so we can figure his statements a well thought out. Here is a sample..
"[P]roperty in slaves, recognized as such by the local law of any of the States of the Union, shall stand on the same footing in all constitutional and federal relations as any other species of property so recognized; and, like other property, shall not be subject to be divested or impaired by the local law of any other State, either in escape thereto or of transit or sojourn of the owner therein; and in no case whatever shall such property be subject to be divested or impaired by any legislative act of the United States, or of any of the Territories thereof."
" We recognize the fact of the inferiority stamped upon that race of men by the Creator, and from the cradle to the grave, our Government, as a civil institution, marks that inferiority."
Do you agree with everything Jeff Davis said, or do you have some reservations? Or do you simply consider hia 'a man of his time' ?
One more Davis quote, this from the 1880s;
"The past is dead; let it bury its dead. Let me beseech you to lay aside all rancor, all bitter sectional feeling. Make your place in the ranks of those who will bring about a consummation devoutly to be wished – a reunited country."
Now; was Jeff right in the 1860s and before..or was he correct with the above statement of the 1880s ?
Thank God, most have grown up and moved on..