I have considerable respect for Walter Williams, but the column you point to is a considerable disappointment.
Lincoln's intentions, as well as that of many northern politicians, were summarized by Stephen Douglas during the presidential debates.
Of course Douglass accused Lincoln of wanting to do bad things. He was campaigning against Lincoln, that's what politicians do in campaigns. As I'm sure you realize, an accusation does not constitute proof of guilt, it is merely an accusation.
BTW, Lincoln and Douglass never debated in a presidential debate. Their debate was during a senatorial campaign in 1858. Also, Douglass fully supported Lincoln once he won the election. This doesn't seem likely if he truly believed Lincoln was an evil man.
I've never quite understood how those who believe Lincoln was a power-mad maniac manage to square this image with his actual life. He served a few terms in the state legislature, a single term in Congress, was unable to run for re-election because he stuck by principle rather than bowing to public opinion, then dropped out of politics entirely for almost 10 years. He didn't re-enter politics until he saw a looming threat that needed to be faced, the advance of the slave power and its threat to American ideals.
This is hardly the resume of a person focused entirely on gaining political power for himself.
I have considerable respect for Walter Williams, but the column you point to is a considerable disappointment. Why? Does the truth bother you?
Of course Douglass accused Lincoln of wanting to do bad things. He was campaigning against Lincoln, that's what politicians do in campaigns. As I'm sure you realize, an accusation does not constitute proof of guilt, it is merely an accusation.
If it was a baseless accusation, I would agree.
But politicians often have to expose the agenda of their opponent to define the difference between the two. For example, if McCain had any balls, he would accuse Obama of being a Marxist.
Do you agree that Obama is a Marxist?
I've never quite understood how those who believe Lincoln was a power-mad maniac manage to square this image with his actual life. He served a few terms in the state legislature, a single term in Congress, was unable to run for re-election because he stuck by principle rather than bowing to public opinion, then dropped out of politics entirely for almost 10 years. He didn't re-enter politics until he saw a looming threat that needed to be faced, the advance of the slave power and its threat to American ideals.
