It was claimed early by Lincoln the war would be fought to collect taxes. When that proved to be insufficient to justify the increasing casualties, Lincoln said he was fighting to save the union. Later the war took on a moral tone - Lincoln was said to be “fighting to free the slaves.”
At Gettysburg, Lincoln went further and suggested that from the beginning, the war was fought for racial equality.
Comes now Brother Joe, setting the stage for an even more preposterous claim. In due time Brother Joe will cite the St. Albans Raid and make the argument the real reason Lincoln attacked the South was to prevent Vermont from being forced into the Confederacy.
Wait for it.
Typical Democrat, jeffersondem wants us to look at his bright-shiny object -- St. Albans Raid -- and ignore our lying eyes, which see Confederate invasions of Union states & territories: Missouri, New Mexico, Kentucky & West Virginia.
Of the 30 engagements in the Union, Confederates have won 13, the Union 16 with one inconclusive.
Of 19 engagements in the Confederacy, Confederates won 10, the Union 4 with 5 inconclusive.
Overall as of "today", Confederates are doing quite well both defending their own states and invading the Union.
The "recent" "Battle of Hemp Bales" in Lexington, Missouri, being a typical example.
Fixed it for you.
At Gettysburg, Lincoln went further and suggested that from the beginning, the war was fought for racial equality.
West Virginia was not admitted to the Union as a State until 30 June 1863.
What is now West Virginia was then part of the state of Virginia.
The Act of 31 Dec 1862 approved admission of the new state of West Virginia conditional upon adoption of an amendment to Article IX, Sec. 7 of the proposed West Virginia state constitution which read, "No slave shall be brought, or free person of color be permitted to come, into this State for permanent residence." Wow, a supposed Union state/territory supposedly fought for racial equality and created a constitution that prohibited free Blacks from entering for permanent residence. The 1863 amendment deleted the prohibition upon any free Black person entering the new state for permanent residence.
Perhaps they had listened to Lincoln when he said, "And, in any event, cannot the north decide for itself, whether to receive them?"