That letter clearly supports my position, and exposes your delusional apologetics for what they are: revisionist fabrications worthy of a Lyndon LaRouche schizophrenic conspiracy theory.
What this letter shows is Lincoln applying a method he used quite successfully throughout his administration. He is going slowly, and seeing what people will accept.
LOL - What that letter very clearly shows is Lincoln expressing his own opinion. As you pointed out earlier, it is a 'private' letter. And as ol' Abe pointed out himself in a public speech afterwards, it was his believed and avowed opinion. Apparently you believe ol' Abe was a pathological liar and conniving scoundrel who was incapable of ever uttering the truth either in writing or speech. I assume that he is being "honest Abe", and you, wlat, assume that he is "DIShonest Abe". Shame on you, you "Lincoln-Hater"! - LOL.
As I've indicated before, he was preparing the public for the idea of black equality by saying that "so far as tested" black soldiers were just as good as white, and by saying that when you gave a black man a rifle, it meant that he would have the full value of his freedom and manhood.
"preparing the public for the idea of black equality" - by making it very clear he was for no such thing when others were. He was willing to make exclusionary, bigoted exceptions for "the very intelligent", and give it as a reward to those who served as soldiers, though. It seems very clear from his statements that their children would not inherit the right though, unless they too served in the military, or passed one of his black "intelligence" tests. No wonder people like Frederick Douglass were "compelled by truth" to publically point out his prejudice against blacks, even at memorial services for him. I don't condemn Lincoln for his common race prejudice, historical perspective must be considered, it was the 1800's.
Whatever else, we can see that Lincoln's ideas were far in advance of most other people of the day.
He was ahead of some, way behind others. His political opponents, the ones who actually freed the slaves, rightfully considered him prejudiced and an obstacle. They often said so. Once again, that's why people like Frederick Douglass were "compelled by truth" to publically point out Lincoln's prejudice even at memorial services for him. As I've said, I don't condemn Lincoln for his common race prejudice, historical perspective must be considered, it was the 1800's.
You try to minimize the import and impact of what Lincoln said and what he accomplshed. Other people won't be so partisan. They won't accept the nonsense you spout.
LOL - You may call Lincoln's OWN words "nonsense", but that is your opinion. I believe that if he were here right now, he would call your revisionist fraud for what it is: "a specious and fantastical arrangement of words by which a man can prove a horse-chestnut to be a chestnut horse."
LOL - What that letter very clearly shows is Lincoln expressing his own opinion.
You are slightly more credible than Stand Watie.
Walt