Some demand to remove s statue of Lincoln which presented him as having just broken the chains of a black slave. A letter published by Frederic Douglass and the history of abolitionism show that the criticism is only half right.

The issue about statues of President Grant reflects hypercritical attitude which has become common. His temporary co-ownership of a farm with slaves on it was a small aspect of his life, and a small effect on the world. His defeat of the Confederacy, and his work, as president, for equality were enormous. Doesn't a great good outweigh a small wrong?

If we take a perfectionist attitude towards judging our heroes, we will soon have none.