[Gianni]

That he was opposed to slavery does not seem (necessarily) to modify his views on the DoI. His involvement in colonization schemes seems to undermine any inclinations he may have had with repsect to simply extending the principles of the DoI to all. The manner in which he discussed 'equality' and amalgamation of the races sheds considerable light on his views as well.

Many excuse this as part of the 'enigma' of Lincoln. I wonder that people continue to believe that any politician can not be so described. The remainder of them just don't receive the kid-gloves treatment applied in this one case. We call them slimy, the other saintly. Would we describe Kerry as an 'enigma' since he voted for the 88mil before he voted against it? When faced with it in our time, we recognize it as pandering. It gives us little insight into his personal inclinations.

[Non-Sequitur]

His involvement in colonization schemes seems to undermine any inclinations he may have had with repsect to simply extending the principles of the DoI to all.

Nonsense. I can point you to other quote where Lincoln clearly states his beliefs that the God given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are color-blind and that they apply to the white man as well as the black. I cannot think of a single instance where Lincoln states that the precipts of the Declaration of Independence were for whites alone. And your claim that his support of colonization are an indication is ridiculous. Sure Lincoln supported colonization, voluntary colonization. He supported it much of his adult life, thousands did in the U.S. including such men as John Breckenridge and Robert Lee. But support for that had nothing to do with Lincoln's belief that a free black man was due the same Constitutional rights as a white.

Many excuse this as part of the 'enigma' of Lincoln.

Excuse what? That Lincoln, judged by today's standards, would be considered racist? Name me a single person of the period who would NOT be considered racist. Lincoln's beliefs for the times were very enlightened, almost radical. He was strongly opposed to slavery, unlike the southern leaders. He believed that in many ways the black man was the equal of a white man, unlike the southern leaders. There is nothing slimy or saintly about Lincoln, to anyone who takes a serious look at the man. The only slimy activities around here are on the part of people like you who will look at Lincoln and Lincoln alone, condemn Lincoln and Lincoln alone for actions that you ignore in others. You want to hold Lincoln up to an impossible standard, and give everyone else a free ride.