[jeffersondem]

“Your were looking for a reasonable explanation why no attempt to end slavery (peacefully) through Constitutional amendment was tried before the Southern rebellion.”

For the purpose of this post, let's stipulate Lincoln could not get the necessary votes to amend the United States Constitution and abolish slavery peacefully.

That would leave only one way to accomplish his aspirations as outlined in the House Divided speech: use the military to violently overthrow the constitution and its slavery provisions.

First, he would need a pretext for war. His navy found that in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. I mean, the Fort Sumter Incident.

[DoodleDawg]

That would leave only one way to accomplish his aspirations as outlined in the House Divided speech: use the military to violently overthrow the constitution and its slavery provisions.

Or through the method Lincoln actually did embrace in his House Divided speech; through the ballot box.

It's a great speech. You should read it some time.

[Bull Snipe]

That would leave only one way to accomplish his aspirations as outlined in the House Divided speech: use the military to violently overthrow the constitution and its slavery provisions.

Always admired a man of action. Glad slavery was extinguished.