Lincoln did what Jefferson and Washington did not do.
He determined upon a way to at least -begin- the ending of slavery. The way to do this, Lincoln thought, was to limit slavery to where it currently existed. He knew it would die if that happened. That is why he told his advisors to hang on "as with a chain of steel" to no expansion of slavery into the federal territories. And he never wavered from this. But even that was enough to set off the slave power, and the war came.
Lincoln once said that slavery was a "continual torment" to him, that he "abhorred" the oppression of blacks.
Gifted with a powerful intellect, Lincoln was also very pragmatic. He was willing to do what was possible. Limiting slavery --was-- possible. It --could-- be done. But the slave power wouldn't do it.
Lincoln's education....uh, I don't think Lincoln had any MBA's.
He DID once say it was important "to help our friends in Knoxville."
Walt
Well, well, did Lincoln actually HAVE any friends in Knoxville? Who were they? I want their names, last-known-addresses, and social security numbers. I strongly suspect that this was just another LIE from the great damnyankee Tyrant.