[central_va]

The 19th century Republican Party was THE radical party aligned on the fringes with abolitionists, many who were terrorists. Universally, freeing blacks was a radical idea in all parts of the country. Even Lincoln thought blacks were inferior. Some of what Lincoln said, it's documented, would be perfectly in line with the modern day KKK.

Do I have to prove it, again?

[Salamander]

I had a friend in IL that has letters written by Lincoln, since he was their ancestor, that no museum will even look at because of what’s in them.

[piasa]

True, but Lincoln’s views did change over the span of his presidency since his pre-presidential debate comments on their inferiority, which were given in Illinois at a time Illinois was virtually a southern state, populated as it was with settlers of southern origin, many from the Carolinas. Even with that view of their inferiority, he did believe they were still as entitled to the fruits of their labor as any white. And, it was fortunate he didn’t go all John Brown and attempt to debate as a firebrand committed abolitionist about equality of races or he would likely have scared off borderline and moderate support and never have been elected. Downstate Illinois was so full of southern sentiment that, IIRC, the officers of a regiment of men raised to fight by the Union ended up accused of treason.

[wewereright]

You are correct! It’s sad to see so many are ignorant of American history. It’s was very commonly believed before the civil war that states voluntarily joined the union and were free to leave. I wish it were so today.