It is hard to figure out your point.  Lincoln opposed the spread of slavery, and
wanted to put it on the "road to ultimate extinction."  He had no power to touch
it in the states where it existed and so that was not part of his political
platform.  Once the war began emancipation became a possibility.  The 1st
confiscation act allowed for some, as did the 2nd. The emancip. proc. was only
possible as a war measure.  Given Lincoln's lifetime hatred for slavery and his
actions during the war, it is hard to image that it was "nothing more" than a
convenience for him

I think your post confuses two things.  The Southern purpose for the war -- to
protect slavery; and the initial purpose of the United States -- to preserve the
Union.

--
Paul Finkelman
Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law
University of Tulsa College of Law
3120 East 4th Place
Tulsa, OK  74104-3189

phone 918-631-3706
Fax   918-631-2194
e-mail:   [log in to unmask]



[log in to unmask] wrote:

> Freeing the slaves was neither a Lincoln nor Republican priority at the start
> of his first term in office.  So, I don't know how it suddenly becomes the
> overriding basis for the North's actions in the Civil War less than a year
> later.  That skunk just don't stink.
>
> Abolition became a convenient political justification to keep certain
> segments of the northern population with the program.  It was nothing more
> than that from Lincoln's perspective.
>
> Jeffrey Duke Southmayd
> BA. JD.
> Less than distinguished communications attorney
> Washington, D.C.
>
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