"Three months ago I wrote you about Louisiana affairs...If the professedly loyal men shall draw the disloyal around them, and colorably set up a state government, repudiating the emancipation and re-establishing slavery, I can not recognize or sustain their work. I should fall powerless in the attempt. This government, in such an attitude would be a house divided against itself. I have said, and say again, that if a new state government acting in harmony with this government, and consistantly with general freedom, shall think best to adopt a reasonable temporary arrangement, in relation to the landless and homeless freed people, I do not object; but my word is out to be for and not against them on the question of their permanent freedom. I do not insist upon such temporary arrangement, but only say such would not be objectionable to me."
A. Lincoln., 11/5/63
Abe at his last cabinet meeting 1865, what he actually DID.
Louisiana, he said, had framed and presented one of the best constitutions that had ever been formed. He wished they had permitted negroes who had property, or could read, to vote; but this was a question which they must decide for themselves.
A. Lincoln, April 14, 1865