Lincoln was a racist. The use of the word describes his attitudes. It matters not whether the word existed or not.
And I don't grade on the curve so I couldn't care less if others were better worse or the same as him in their attitudes.
I don't put modern judgements on historical people. I put personal judgements on behavior and attitudes.
We have the benefit of hindsight now and I don't deny it. Nor do I run from it. We live and learn. Slavery was wrong then, it is wrong now. Judging people by race is merely a sign of ignorance. People were relatively ignorant in his time.
I stated that he was a racist and he was. He is neither a hero or villian because of it.
He was a bad President in my view for other reasons.
We're not dueling.
The record doesn't support you.
It supports the idea that Lincoln's ideas were much advanced compared to most people of the day.
"Recognizing me, even before I reached him, he exclaimed, so that all around could hear him, "Here comes my friend Douglass." Taking me by the hand, he said, "I am glad to see you. I saw you in the crowd to-day, listening to my inaugural address; how did you like it?" I said, "Mr. Lincoln, I must not detain you with my poor opinion, when there are thousands waiting to shake hands with you." "No, no," he said, "you must stop a little, Douglass; there is no man in the country whose opinion I value more than yours. I want to know what you think of it?" I replied, "Mr. Lincoln, that was a sacred effort." "I am glad you liked it!" he said; and I passed on, feeling that any man, however distinguished, might well regard himself honored by such expressions, from such a man."
More Douglass:
"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."
Walt