But his views were far in advance of most people of his day.
He told Frederick Douglass that there was no man in the country whose opinion he valued more.
"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."
-- "With Malice Towards None", by Stephen Oates
When Douglass went to Lincoln's second inaugural ball, he was an escaped slave.
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
As to the statue, at this time and in this atmosphere, it is just another attempt to remind people of their differences. Not only does the left want to remove all signs of the Confederacy, it believes it is time to restart reconstruction. Move in a few more little reminders and try to shore up the Black voting bloc against any shift away from the democrat's emotional foundation.
(With a nod to Grand Kleagle Byrd)