[DoodleDawg]

Lincoln picked the timing, and it appears he did so deliberately to avoid any issues with Congress telling him "no."

Actually he did not. The House had recessed on March 3rd, the day before the inauguration. The Senate stayed in special session a few more days the confirm his cabinet appointments.

Not for a nation that was founded on the premises articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

In any definition of the word.

[DiogenesLamp]

Actually he did not. The House had recessed on March 3rd, the day before the inauguration.

And the war couldn't have waited till they resumed?

What was the hurry?