To: count-your-change
Lincoln's own attitude toward blacks demonstrates that the Proclamation wasn't based upon distaste for slavery as much as a war time measure against the South. That is pure nonsense. Lincoln's 'distaste' for slavery was long standing and very well documented. You are correct however that the EP was issued (and could only be issued) as a "war time measure."
As President, Lincoln had no authority to end slavery. It could only be ended by individual states themselves or via Constitutional Amendment. But as Commander-in-Chief, Lincoln did have the power to end it as a military necessity in areas in rebellion. That is what the EP did.
83 posted on
08/25/2008 1:47:31 PM PDT by
Ditto
(Global Warming: The 21st Century's Snake Oil)
To: Ditto
Lincoln was willing to accept an all slave U.S. or all free so his distaste was also pragmatic and had little to do with EP.
Suggest you read Lincoln-Douglas debates or go to Gutenberg Project which has full text of all of Lincoln's writings.
85 posted on
08/25/2008 2:53:05 PM PDT by
count-your-change
(you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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