Whether Lincoln was or was not a racist really means nothing in the scheme of things because of what came about during his presidency. People will always overlook quotes like this one and others, as well as here say from his cabinet at the time that say he said the "n" word more often than any other president, once again because of what happened during his presidency. Saying Lincoln freed the slaves is like taking all the credit for winning the world series when all you did was ride the pine. People give him credit for freeing the slaves because of the emancipation proclamation, but why? The emancipation proclamation only freed the slaves in the "rebel states" while doing nothing for the slaves in the other combated, as well as "free" states. A census for the states of NY and NJ showed they still had a slave population in 1864. NY at 1.7% and NJ at 3.6%, and these were so called "free states?" IF Lincoln really cared about abolishing slavery why not have this document free all slaves? Because Lincoln didn't care about freeing the slaves he cared about the unification of the country as he was a devote unionist. Plain and simple. Not to mention, has anyone forgotten Lincoln's Confiscation act of 1862? Honestly just look at what the man said to do with some of the slaves "any slaves behind the Union lines were captives of war who were to be freed and transported to countries in the tropics." Not only did Lincoln think they were inferior he didn't want them around at all. This was not for their benefit mind you. IF they had been "sent to the tropics" they wouldn't have been "freed" they would have been reintroduced into the slave trade all together, and would have ended up going to one of many other slave holding nations around the world. But I digress, as none of this means anything as those ignorant to the truth will continue to praise this racist because what happened during his presidency. I say again saying Lincoln freed the slaves is like taking all the credit for winning the world series when all you did was ride the pine.