[Heyworth]

I clearly recall that the Emancipation Proclamation applied only to the rebel States, which clearly implies volumes...

It implies that Lincoln recognized he had no fiat powers over slavery in the states that weren't in rebellion. You guys always attack Lincoln for being a dictator, then attack him for not using his dictatorial powers. For the record, three of the five loyal slave states--West Virginia, Missouri, and Maryland--ended it on their own before war's end. Furthermore, Lincoln fully supported passage of the 13th amendment, even insisting on it being included in the 1864 Republican platform. It had already passed the Senate in April, 1864 but Democrats in the House blocked it until after the November election. Once passed, Lincoln promptly signed it and it went to the states.

Mississippi, by the way, didn't ratify the 13th until 1995.

[the OlLine Rebel]

UMMMM....MD was not "loyal" - it was oppressed into being so. MD was a Southern state (know about that Mason-Dixon line?) It was under seige and forced to be "loyal". MD's legitimate politicians were largely thrown out of office and replaced by - you guessed it.

Republicans were no angels.

And Lincoln come no where near George in "greatness".

[M. Espinola]

"Mississippi, by the way, didn't ratify the 13th until 1995."

The neo-confederates are losing their grip even in the heart of the old South.

[Non-Sequitur]

Mississippi, by the way, didn't ratify the 13th until 1995.

Which clearly implies volumes....