Lol! You're priceless! First you argue against making "generational judgements" and then without missing a beat remark that Lincoln can be "far in advance of most people of his day". Lol! At least you don't waste time in contradicting your own propositions! Don't let mere logic slow you down! Lol!
Maybe your inability to figure out how to get around the problem of Washington, Jefferson, and the Emancipating British Crown has left you a bit thirsty. I kind of figured it would. I suspect we won't see you getting around to that quandary any time soon. You'll just avoid the problem, and pretend that historical judgement is impossible, oh, say, before 1861, although force of habit will undoubtedly have you quoting the Declaration in splendid isolation from Governor Jefferson's own actions.
Yes, by any lights, Lincoln's views were far in advance of most people of his time. That is not a generational judgment, that is taking him in context.
Does your mother let you go out dressed this way?
Walt
It's silly and useless to put our values on people of the past. How much more plain do you need it?
Now the secessionists -- they were called traitors at the time, and they were traitors.
Walt