Abraham Lincoln, the American president who was eventually to issue the proclamation which formally abolished slavery throughout the United States in 1863 - and who is subsequently known as the "Great Emancipator" for this - was another who never believed in racial equality, again despite much propaganda to the contrary. Lincoln was, like Jefferson before him, firmly committed to racial separation, and came out in public support of a law in the state of Illinois which made marriage between Blacks and Whites a crime (Lincoln and the Negro, Benjamin Quarles, Oxford University Press, New York, 1962, pages 36-37).
Above: Abraham Lincoln, best remembered for his abolition of slavery - but less well known was his implacable opposition to racial integration. His legislation designed to repatriate Blacks to Africa came to nothing after he was assassinated.
Although Lincoln is best know for his abolition of slavery, his true political policy was one of emancipation and repatriation of all Blacks out of America to Africa. He made his views public knowledge: during a face to face meeting during an 1862 meeting with a Black group calling itself the "Deputation of Free Negroes" who had come to plead for full emancipation, Lincoln told the delegation that their best bet was to return to Africa and start a free Black colony there. He told them:
"You and I are different races. We have between us a broader difference than exists between almost any other races. Whether it be right or wrong, I need not discuss; but this physical difference is a great disadvantage to us both, as I think. Your race suffer very greatly, many of them by living amongst us, while ours suffer from your presence. In a word, we suffer on each side. If this is admitted, it affords a reason at least why we should be separated.
"Your race are suffering, in my judgment, the greatest wrong inflicted on any people. But even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from being placed on equality with the White race. On this broad continent, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours. Go where you are treated the best, and the ban is still upon you. I cannot alter it if I would.
"I need not recount to you the effects upon White men, growing out of the institution of slavery. See our present condition - the country engaged in war! - our White men cutting one another's throats, none knowing how far it will extend; and then consider what we know to be the truth. But for your race among us there would be no war, although many men engaged on either side do not care for you one way or the other. It is better for us both, therefore, to be separated."