bradsaptblog

I decided to write this post about the Fourth Lincoln-Douglas Debate. This particular speech by Lincoln was shocking to me. It doesnt seem like he is saying these words in satire, but I hope I am mistaken. In class, we discussed how some historians claim Lincoln had a tendency to give political positions depending on his audience, and his words in this particular debate might be conclusive evidence of that theory. In this speech, he basically says that he does not believe blacks should be equal to whites, like his opponent appearently claimed. He even goes so far as to say that blacks are inferior to the white race, which is an unfortunate choice of words.

Obviously, Lincoln was known, from prior speeches and writings, to be someone who thought slavery was wrong, but it seems he wanted to make sure that no person saw him as an advocate of racial equality. This speech, if I am reading it correctly, is a tarnishment upon the image of one of the greatest American's. In defense of Mr. Lincoln, I truly feel his words signify more a sign of the times, rather than his actual opinion.