[beancounter13]

That, plus the fact, that ol’ Abe needed to reason to get the Northern States to care enough to fight. Up until 1863, even the Northern States were inclined to let the South go, much as we would be inclined to let California go if they so wished.

[Not_Who_U_Think]

And, the Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in land the Union did not control. It didn’t free slaves in any of the northern states (such as Delaware and Kentucky) either. Some have speculated that it may have been intended to not only seize the issue but also to possibly foment a slave rebellion in the south.

Victors do indeed write the history books.

[D Rider]

When the war was about states rights, the south was winning. When the war was made about a man’s rights, the north began winning. After the Emancipation Proclamation, the north gained the moral high ground. Frederick Douglas was correct about that, and if Abraham Lincoln didn’t listen to him, the north would have lost.

[jocon307]

They had the right to go, as all the states still do, imho. Not a Southerner, and neither a fan or hater of Lincoln.

[DiogenesLamp]

Up until 1863, even the Northern States were inclined to let the South go, much as we would be inclined to let California go if they so wished.

Except the Republicans were the Liberals and the Democrats were the conservatives in 1860. Letting California go would be like the South letting the North go.

Which they sorta did.