While I was at the hotel to—day, an elderly gentleman called upon me to know whether I was really in favor of producing a perfect equality between the negroes and white people. [Great Laughter.] While I had not proposed to myself on this occasion to say much on that subject, yet as the question was asked me I thought I would occupy perhaps five minutes in saying something in regard to it. 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, [applause]—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.
If held to today's standards any person of the period you care to name would be considered a KKK member.
Nonsense!
There is a central element missing from Lincoln's character that could ever lump him in with the klan - animus. Lincoln held no animus, no rancor toward the black man. He believed - as everyone one else of the time - that the black man was innately inferior to the white man, and that inferiority would result in difficulties for blacks living with whites in any sort of equal fashion. Despite that his deeds proved him willing to allow blacks a chance at the American dream.
Lincoln was never anything like the klan.