It's hard to believe you really have an issue with Lincoln on the basis you suggest.
I think it a lot more likely you take exception to him even saying blacks should be free to enjoy the fruits of their own labor at all. And maybe with him saying they had an equal share in the promise in the Declaration of Independence.
In 1858, Lincoln said he was not in favor of making voters or jurors of blacks. In 1865 he clearly had changed this stance and was willing to see voting right conferred on the very intelligent and the soldiers. He had been directing that as many blacks as possible be recruited into the military for two years prior, as these letters indicate:
Private General Hunter
Executive Mansion
Washington D.C. April 1, 1863
My dear Sir:
I am glad to see the accounts of your colored force at Jacksonville, Florida. I see the enemy are driving at them fiercely, as is to be expected. It is mportant to the enemy that such a force shall not take shape, and grow, and thrive, in the south; and in precisely the same proportion, it is important to us that it shall. Hence the utmost caution and viglilance is necessary on our part. The enemy will make extra efforts to destroy them; and we should do the same to perserve and increase them.
Yours truly
A. Lincoln
_________________________________________________________
Hon. Andrew Johnson
Executive Mansion,
My dear Sir:
Washington, March 26. 1863.
I am told you have at least thought of raising a negro military force. In my opinion the country now needs no specific thing so much as some man of your ability, and position, to go to this work. When I speak of your position, I mean that of an eminent citizen of a slave-state, and himself a slave- holder. The colored population is the great available and yet unavailed of, force for restoring the Union. The bare sight of fifty thousand armed, and drilled black soldiers on the banks of the Mississippi, would end the rebellion at once. And who doubts that we can present that sight, if we but take hold in earnest? If you have been thinking of it please do not dismiss the thought.
Yours truly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hon Soc of War
Executive Mansion
Washington
July 21, 1863
My Dear Sir:
I desire that a renewed and vigorous effort be made to raise colored forces along the shores of the Missippi [sic]. Please consult the General-in-chief; and if it is perceived that any acceleration of the matter can be effected, let it be done. I think the evidence is nearly conclusive that Gen. Thomas is one of the best, if not the very best, instruments for this service.
Yours truly
Lincoln was, as he said, willing to adopt new views as soon as they were shown to be new views.
And the new view was that blacks had a right to full citizenship.
I guess I wonder also how any good-hearted person today would disturb the myth -- if it were a myth -- of Lincoln's good heart. Why strive so hard to pull down what the United States stands for -- equal justice and opportunity for all?
walt
Waltrot:
It's hard to believe you really have an issue with Lincoln on the basis you suggest. I think it a lot more likely you take exception to him even saying blacks should be free to enjoy the fruits of their own labor at all. And maybe with him saying they had an equal share in the promise in the Declaration of Independence.
So now anyone who proves you a liar is a racist. Mr. Sharpton, is that you? You have reached a new low, Waltrot, and the lurkers will realise it clearly. So much for your credibility with them. All should take note of the fact that it was I who took issue in defense of all those who would have been rejected by Lincoln's exclusionary and prejudiced ideas of black suffrage. I say again, What of the rest?
Lincoln was, as he said, willing to adopt new views as soon as they were shown to be new views. And the new view was that blacks had a right to full citizenship.
Too bad he never said that. Too bad he specifically said he only supported giving rights to "the very intelligent" ones, and to "those who serve our cause as soldiers". What of the rest?
I guess I wonder also how any good-hearted person today would disturb the myth...of Lincoln's good heart. Why strive so hard to pull down what the United States stands for -- equal justice and opportunity for all?
Considering that you just suggested I was racist for no other reason than I proved you a liar, you very obviously are not a "good-hearted" person. Also, considering the fact that most of your posts are full of lies and/or slander, you very obviously are not a "good-hearted" person. And the lurkers should be made aware that you personally consider the Constitution to be a "Pact with the Devil", so your concerns about "what America stands for" are extememly suspect. As to "pulling down what America stands for", if you seriously think that exposing your lie about Lincoln does that, then you are confusing Lincoln with America itself. The truth about Lincoln's position on the issue of black suffrage is that he did not want equal justice for all, only for some, "the very intelligent" ones, and those that "serve our cause as soldiers", as he specifically stated it himself. History is, Truth is, and neither seem to have much in common with you.