“If I knew that it was a matter that was hotly contested and to possibility of tens of thousands of lives (not to mentions hundreds of thousands of lives) my conscience would not allow me to go forward just because it might make me feeeeeeeeel better.”
You seem oblivious to how your words repudiate Lincoln’s decision to fight an optional war.
Lincoln had no options - certainly not your insipid notion of an optional war (although the notion does fit the confederates). The decision was thrust upon him by the actions of the slavrocracy. Once they set on that course Lincoln, honor bound to his oath of office, had no other choice. There is no repudiation of Lincolns actions - nor should there be.