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“See my post to gman992”

I’m familiar with that argument. I’ve read the quote.* None of it addresses my point. Namely, why Lincoln had to save the Union in the first place. Because the South seceded over fear for the future of slavery, that’s why. Because they believed the accession of the Republicans to the White House put abolitionism in power. That in addition to blocking slavery’s westward expansion and ignoring the Fugitive Slave Act, they would outright abolish slavery (as they eventually did, incidentally).

*”If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.”