Beveridge makes reference to a charge that was made against Lincoln, as Lincoln carried on his debates on states' rights with Stephen A. Douglas, in which Lincoln was charged that he was advocating the marriage of whites with negroes. Lincoln, of course, resented this and in his reply said that because he sought the freedom of these people and advocated that they might eat the bread that they earned was no reason why his motives should be questioned. Motives of Joseph Smith Misunderstood As I read this, my brethren and sisters, my mind went back to the Prophet Joseph. He, too, was the victim of motive questioning.