[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Simmy

“my paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or destroy slavery, If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.”
Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley

Many Blacks didn't see Lincoln has their “Great Emancipator”.

Many of Lincoln’s critics, especially African-Americans, go so far as to claim that he was no friend of blacks and did not want to risk the political fallout that would surely result from emancipation, but was eventually forced by circumstances to do so. In the words of Julius Lester, “Blacks have no reason to feel grateful to Abraham Lincoln. How come it took him two whole years to free the slaves? His pen was sitting on his desk the entire time.”

Many also have questioned the real significance of the Emancipation Proclamation, arguing that it was merely a piece of propaganda and that it actually freed no slaves. As Richard Hofstadter wrote, “had the political strategy of the moment called for a momentous human document of the stature of the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln could have risen to the occasion.” Instead, he produced a document with “all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading.” In addition, the document he issued only freed slaves where the federal government had no power. It did not apply to slaves in the loyal slave states or in those parts of the Confederacy under Union control. Indeed, Lincoln did not free the slaves; they freed themselves.

Editorial
March 2004
by Mackubin T. Owens
ashbrook.org

Seems not all Blacks agree with your assessment.

Not really. Lincoln was just smart enough to know when to play his cards whatever the political climate. I think it clear Lincoln was anti slavery, but not to the point he would let it interfere with his political goals. His political timing was about perfect. No, he didn't really care about slavery, until it suited his purposes. Like him or not, he was political genius.