Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Yes We Did! (Original Post) sheshe2 Feb 2013 OP
I'm not so sure this would be true. mucifer Feb 2013 #1
To begin with its important to put that into context. grantcart Feb 2013 #5
Lincoln believed in forward progress though treestar Feb 2013 #7
That's great! graham4anything Feb 2013 #2
Happy Sunday, graham! nt sheshe2 Feb 2013 #3
Happy Sunday! And love your signature. Said similiar things myself. graham4anything Feb 2013 #4
My fault I guess, sheshe2 Feb 2013 #6
I feel like Cha Feb 2013 #8
Love it! Kath1 Feb 2013 #9
YES I DO! Cha Mar 2013 #10
Girlfriend you are making me laugh here! sheshe2 Mar 2013 #11
rofl.. Cha Mar 2013 #12
You sure have been, Cha! sheshe2 Mar 2013 #13
Yes, to Angels Everywhere she! Cha Mar 2013 #14

mucifer

(24,847 posts)
1. I'm not so sure this would be true.
Sun Feb 24, 2013, 08:58 AM
Feb 2013

Abraham Lincoln did say in the Lincoln Douglas debates that blacks and whites should never marry. If he really believed that then he wouldn't even want President Obama to exist. He might have said it for political reasons but we don't know that for sure.

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
5. To begin with its important to put that into context.
Sun Feb 24, 2013, 09:36 AM
Feb 2013

Douglas and the Democrats was making a charge that Lincoln and the Republicans not only wanted to get rid of slavery but full emancipation and intermarriage. It was a racist taunt. At the time only 15% of the North could be classified as abolitionists and not all of them wanted 100% full equality and intermarriage, so all politicians, even those proclaiming equality. Even Thaddeus Stevens who was in a relationship with Lydia Smith (mixed race) didn't publicly acknowledge that or advocate for full equality.

For an objective view of Lincoln there is no better commentator than Fredrick Douglass and his address in 1876 is one of the greatest either by Douglass or about Lincoln and the entire speech is worthy, but relevant to your point Douglass says:



http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?documentprint=39

I have said that President Lincoln was a white man, and shared the prejudices common to his countrymen towards the colored race. Looking back to his times and to the condition of his country, we are compelled to admit that this unfriendly feeling on his part may be safely set down as one element of his wonderful success in organizing the loyal American people for the tremendous conflict before them, and bringing them safely through that conflict. His great mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and, second, to free his country from the great crime of slavery. To do one or the other, or both, he must have the earnest sympathy and the powerful cooperation of his loyal fellow-countrymen. Without this primary and essential condition to success his efforts must have been vain and utterly fruitless. Had he put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible. 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.




And then there is Lincoln as a person. While some northerners advocated equality as a principle, for Lincoln it was part of his personality. Again Douglass relates his first meeting with Lincoln:


http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=69&subjectID=4

Long lines of care were already deeply written on Mr. Lincoln's brow, and his strong face, full of earnestness, lighted up as soon as my name was mentioned. As I approached and was introduced to him, he rose and extended his hand, and bade me welcome. I at once felt myself in the present of an honest man — on whom I could love, honor and trust without reserve or doubt.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
7. Lincoln believed in forward progress though
Sun Feb 24, 2013, 03:33 PM
Feb 2013

And probably would cheer were he around today. In his day, he pushed for what he could get.

 

graham4anything

(11,464 posts)
4. Happy Sunday! And love your signature. Said similiar things myself.
Sun Feb 24, 2013, 09:28 AM
Feb 2013

and boo to the first response, one thing if that was in the general disc. part, but not here.
It's rude. imho

sheshe2

(87,578 posts)
6. My fault I guess,
Sun Feb 24, 2013, 09:51 AM
Feb 2013

I first titled this: What would Lincoln Say....
I forgot that one should not ask a question in the BOG, as it invites....that!

Kath1

(4,309 posts)
9. Love it!
Mon Feb 25, 2013, 06:23 AM
Feb 2013

Yes, we did! A lot of work to be done but re-electing President Obama was a great start! Just awesome!

sheshe2

(87,578 posts)
11. Girlfriend you are making me laugh here!
Mon Mar 4, 2013, 03:15 PM
Mar 2013

Are you posting on all my old threads, so that I would return to the BOG and see that you shut down that nasty OP.

Well it worked! You are my hero! An with !

I saw it when it was first posted this morning! :banghead

Thanks Cha!

Cha

(305,447 posts)
12. rofl..
Mon Mar 4, 2013, 03:18 PM
Mar 2013

busted! I was going to pm you but you're here and already got it.

I've been busy, she.



BOG

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Barack Obama»Yes We Did!