I have been asked by a list member what - as a Civil War buff and genealogist - I think of Lincoln/the North.  My view is shared by many of us with heritage rooted in the Old South, and may be of interest to all.

Upon taking office - AFTER - after, remember, SC already had seceded (Dec. 20, 1860) - Lincoln was confronted with the necessity that he choose one or the other of two monstrous and horrendous choices, or to somehow construct a compromise.  Throughout most of those 4 years, he remained open to and considered the compromise notions of MANY, none of which were in his considered view likely to create solutions for more than a short span of months, or years at the most.  

Failing compromise, he had two clear choices.  He could commit his political fortunes to maintaining the bonds of Union by holding the South, by force if necessary, as a part of that Union.  The duties to do that were his, even from the words of his oath, from his own well-considered views that the Union could not continue half-Slave and half-Free, and from the requirements/demands clearly spoken (usually) by those who had elected him.  OR, he could yield to ever-increasing pressures from a public that disdained war and cried for its end, from politicians who saw political gain or at least less constituent anger in allowing the South to go its way, and from his own desire to succeed at what he was required to do.  Failure was personally repugnant to him. 

So, he chose to remain open for ideas of compromise, hold the South until such were forthcoming, and during that interim of hope to wear down its will, man power, and economic capacity to continue the struggle.  Of course, the compromises did not come, the South was brought to exhaustion, its manhood and lifestyle for both rich and poor greatly reduced, and slavery was gone forever.  

So it was that Lincoln vanquished the South, but if victory means destroying esprit de corps, spirit, memories and character of the people, he did NOT win.  Paul           


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