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Again, though, you have to look at what the other side of the debate was. Why was Stephen Douglas able to accuse Lincoln of being in favor of miscegenation? Compared to every other major and the vast majority of minor political figures of the time, he was as enlightened in his attitude toward blacks as you got. Here's Frederick Douglass on the matter in 1876:

I have said that President Lincoln was a white man, and shared the prejudices common to his countrymen towards the colored race. Looking back to his times and to the condition of his country, we are compelled to admit that this unfriendly feeling on his part may be safely set down as one element of his wonderful success in organizing the loyal American people for the tremendous conflict before them, and bringing them safely through that conflict. His great mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and, second, to free his country from the great crime of slavery. To do one or the other, or both, he must have the earnest sympathy and the powerful cooperation of his loyal fellow-countrymen. Without this primary and essential condition to success his efforts must have been vain and utterly fruitless. Had he put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible. Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.

I see these accusations brought out against Lincoln, and I just have to say that his thinking was the norm. To judge 19th century men by 21st standards is wrong, unfair, and dishonest. That is what is happening in our universities today... it is how liberals and professors are raising up a generation to think that Western Civilization is not worth saving because we did terrible things to the Indians.

Judge all in this time period, in this crisis, by the society they inhabited. Only then, can you really understand why they took the positions they did. Too many black and white judgements are made against the leaders and men on both sides of this issue.

How are you doing, Bubba Ho-Tep?

That is very true, of course. Too bad most Founders aren’t extended the same courtesy - “don’t judge them based on the norm of the time”.

Fred Douglass was a great man, and very perceptive and forgiving, if you will. Much different from his self-acclaimed descendents of the likes of “the reverend Jackson”.

Douglass was invited to the reception after Lincoln’s second inaugural address. He then earnles asked him what he thought of his speech, No doubt in my mind that he respected Douglass. Whetever his opinion of other black mmen, he was astonished by Douglass. Someone has said that other black men suffered by comparison with Douglas, because whites tended to expect other educated blacks to rise to the same standard. But not many men. black or white, could.