lincoln, a great man?

This was a quote by Lincoln on Oct. 13th, 1858 on a debate with Steven A. Douglas used for the documentary 500 Years Later

I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races--that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which will ever forbid the two races living together in terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together, there must be the position of superior and inferior. I am as much as any other man in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.

...notwithstanding all this, there is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence--the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man. I agree with Judge Douglas that he is not my equal in many respects, certainly not in color--perhaps not in intellectual and moral endowments; but in the right to eat bread without leave of anybody else which his own hand earns [the Republican version of what the other rights amount to?], he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas and the equal of every other man.



Over the years through primary, high school, and college, the history is usually tailored in a way to avoid the negative view of Lincoln. For me, Lincoln was great for what he did for the country but also horrible (understated) for what he didn't do.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by LeHah

I'm going to tell you why you're an idiot and its for very obvious reasons. So obvious, that I expect you to be Shivley or some other dickless fuckbag.

You lost me right there dude. Sure Lincoln's contributions to the nation is great and should be taught and recognize in schools, but what I'm saying is the negatives should also be taught and show how both these sides of Lincoln along with the collection mind set of the leaders and public of the time might of have affected the outcome of society in America today. Respect man, I don't know you bro, and yes we don't agree but I'm not about to go off and called you a "dickless fuckbag". Peace

There's nowhere I can't reach.