Here’s what Lincoln thought of the slaves. He didn’t give a sh*t about the coloreds.
“I am a little uneasy about the abolishment of slavery in this District [of Columbia]...” -— Abraham Lincoln, 3/24/1862 letter to Horace Greely, New York Tribune editor
“I will say, then, that I am not, nor have ever been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races ... I am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.” -— Abraham Lincoln
“I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the Army and the Government needed a Dictator. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up dictators. What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship.” -— Abraham Lincoln, upon his replacement of General Burnside with General Hooker for command of the Army of the Potomac
The 'coloreds'? How 19th century of you, MJ.