The problem with revisionist historians is that they judge the past in terms of present standards and norms. Think about the context of this quote...The debate had obviously reached the point in which Lincoln had to defend his radical beliefs with regard to the white and black races. There were few people in 1856 that truly believed that the white and black races were equal. The simple fact that Lincoln is accused of this shows that his beliefs were closer to equality than the majority of his contemporaries Lincoln's statement is racist today, but this is only because of the incredible progress made over the last 50 years in terms of civil rights. Lincoln did more for the cause of equality than any other president. And in his time, his actions were radical. He was on the cutting edge of civil liberties