So what explains why Lincoln himself wrote the the EP was unconsitutional, yet he still issued it? The same Lincoln that opined that the Executive could not coerce votes of the legislature, yet himself suppresed dissidents to prevent their voting against him? The same Lincoln that wrote that the decision of the court in the Dred Scott case was to be obeyed (before issuance), yet he afterwards wrote that the 7-2 decision was to be ignored? The same Lincoln that ordered the arrests of thousands despite the 1st Amendment protection? The same Lincoln that had hundreds of newspapers closed despite the "freedom of the press"? Are those the marks of an honest man?
Lets talk about things which are more recent, shall we? How about the century of apartheid, which only ended in our lifetime?
How do you view the ideology and practices of people who are still alive and able to be scolded for racist actions?