The historical record undercuts your claim.
In the 1858 debate with Douglas, Lincoln said: “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races.”
This was not a one-off comment. On other occasions Lincoln said even worse.
But I do agree Mr. Lincoln should not be taken off our coinage and his memorial in D.C. should not be bulldozed.
Does it now?
In the 1858 debate with Douglas, Lincoln said: “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races.”
In the first debate in Ottawa Lincoln said, in response to Douglas's constant fear-mongering on equality, the following: "I will say here, while upon this subject, that I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and the black races. There is a physical difference between the two, which, in my judgment, will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality, and inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a difference, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in favor of the race to which I belong having the superior position. I have never said anything to the contrary, but I hold that, notwithstanding all this, there is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man. I agree with Judge Douglas he is not my equal in many respects-certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual endowment. But in the right to eat the bread, without the leave of anybody else, which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man."
This was not a one-off comment. On other occasions Lincoln said even worse.
So you would have us believe. But did he speak in favor of slavery as Lee and Jackson and Davis all did? Did any of those men believe that black men had any rights that the white man was bound to recognize?
But I do agree Mr. Lincoln should not be taken off our coinage and his memorial in D.C. should not be bulldozed.
How...moderate of you.