[jeffersondem]

“In the days leading up to Lincoln’s inauguration, the Tribune headed its editorial columns each day, in large capital letters: “No compromise!/No concession to traitors!/The Constitution as it is!””

That is an interesting citation - northern newspapers demanding “The Constitution as it is!”

The United States Constitution at that time enshrined slavery.

Your citation seems to undercut those today that publish opinions saying the war was “all about slavery” and that Lincoln “fought to free the slaves.”

[BroJoeK]

OIFVeteran: "In the days leading up to Lincoln’s inauguration, the Tribune headed its editorial columns each day, in large capital letters: 'No compromise!/No concession to traitors!/The Constitution as it is!' "

These would certainly refer to such issues as Crittenden's plan, Corwin's Amendment and demands to surrender Forts Sumter & Pickens.

jeffersondem: "Your citation seems to undercut those today that publish opinions saying the war was 'all about slavery' and that Lincoln 'fought to free the slaves.' "

Crittenden & Corwin were certainly "all about slavery", though neither achieved the highest level of guarantees offered by the new Confederate constitution.
Was the war itself "all about slavery"?

1862: "The Vidette, a camp newspaper for Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's cavalry brigade.
In one of the November, 1862 issues, the following appeared:
"...any man who pretends to believe that this is not a war for the emancipation of the blacks, and that the whole course of the Yankee government has not only been directed to the abolition of slavery, but even to a stirring up of servile insurrections, is either a fool or a liar.' ""

"A fool or a liar"?
Now there is a great example of a Confederate predicting our Lost Causers' sophistry.

[OIFVeteran]

The constitution as it is did not “enshrine” slavery. In fact the constitution founders were so embarrassed by it that they didn’t mention it by name. The constitution also allowed states to get rid of and outlaw slavery. It also allowed congress to outlaw slavery in the territories.

Compare that to the confederate constitution that uses the word slavery and denies states the right to outlaw it. It also clearly states that all new territories must allow slavery. Now you tell me which constitution enshrined slavery.