DiogenesLamp: " Lincoln *DID* say that.
It is now indisputable that Lincoln said it. "
Especially indisputable to those who wish to turn conservative Republican Lincoln into a radical socialist Democrat.
But other sites still list it as "discredited" and the reason is its source is Lincoln's partner, William Herndon.
By the time of Herndon's book, Herndon himself was incapacitated by alcoholism and under the sway of an interloper named Jessie Weik.
Either or both may have been more interested in making Lincoln into a "progressive" than Lincoln's words themselves warrant.
The basic problem is this quote is out of character for Lincoln, there are not others similar appearing indisputably elsewhere.
I do think we've covered this ground before in more detail.
Do tell. What was one of Lincoln's conservative characteristics? Usually social upheaval, spending enormous amounts of government money, and pushing protectionism tend to be liberal positions.
The basic problem is this quote is out of character for Lincoln, there are not others similar appearing indisputably elsewhere.
Again, you've failed to read the link I sent you. It mentions other quoptes and it also quotes Lincoln again from the time when he was in the legislature.
"“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert to fleece the people, and now that they have got into a quarrel with themselves, we are called upon to appropriate the people’s money to settle the quarrel.”speech to Illinois legislature, Jan. 1837.