That is probably very representative of the southern slaveholders' attitudes. As I stated above many/most of them are descended from English aristocracy and it was this attitude of "I know best what's good for you." They didn't just believe their slaves were a race apart but perhaps a separate specie. Apalling. Fascinating.

I had opprotunity to read some of Lincoln's writings first hand at the Huntington Museum in Southern California quite a number of years ago. We are fortunate that he was such an avid and affable correspondent. Unfortunately .jpeg does not do the documents justice.