That was HIS priority, not preserving the Union.
It's nice to know that, in these uncertain times, there are still certainties we can cling to. The sun will come up tomorrow. The media will be biased. And 4CJ will misquote Lincoln and make up Lincoln quotes when it suits his purpose. What Lincoln actually said on that Valentine's Day in Pennsylvania was:
"It is often said that the tariff is the specialty of Pennsylvania. Assuming that direct taxation is not to be adopted, the tariff question must be as durable as the government itself-- It is a question of national house-keeping-- It is to the government what replenishing the meal-tub is to the family-- Ever-varying circumstances will require frequent modifications, as to amounts needed, and sources of supply-- So far there is little difference of opinion among the people-- It is as to whether, and how far, duties on imports, shall be adjusted to favor home production in the home market, that controversy begins-- One party insists that such adjustment oppresses one class for the advantage of another; while the other party argues that with all its incidents, and in the long run, all classes are benefitted. In the Chicago Platform there is a plank upon this subject, which should be a general law, to the incoming administration. We should do neither more nor less than we gave the people reason to believe we would, when they gave us their votes-- That plank is as I now read-
"That, while providing revenue for the support of the general government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imports as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country; and we commend that policy of national exchanges, which secures to the workingmen liberal wages, to agriculture remunerative prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate award for their skill, labor, and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence."
As with all general propositions, doubtless there will be shades of difference in construing this-- I have, by no means, a thoroughly matured judgment upon this subject -- especially as to details-- Some general ideas are about all-- I have long thought that to produce any necessary article at home, which can be made of as good quality, and with as little labor at home as abroad, would better be made at home, at least by the difference of the carrying from abroad-- In such case, the carrying is demonstrably a dead loss of labor-- -- For instance, labor being the true standard of value, is it not plain, that if equal labor get a bar of rail-road bar of iron out of a mine in England, and another out of a mine in Pennsylvania, each can be laid down in a track at home, cheaper than they could exchange countries, at least by the cost of carriage-- If there be a present cause why one can be both made and carried, cheaper in money-price, than the other can be made without carrying, that cause is an unnatural, and injurious one, and ought, gradually, if not rapidly, to be removed--
The condition of the Treasury at this time would seem to render an early revision of the tariff indispensable-- The Morill bill, now pending before congress may, or may not become a law--I am not posted as to it's particular provisions; but if they are generally satisfactory, and the bill shall now pass, there will be an end for the present-- If, however, it shall not pass, I suppose the whole subject will be one of the most pressing and important, for the next congress--By the constitution, the executive may recommend measures which he may think proper; and he may veto those he thinks improper; and it is supposed he may add to these, certain indirect influences to affect the action of congress-- My political education strongly inclines me against any a very free use of any of these means, by the Executive, to control the legislation of the country-- As a rule, I think it better that congress should originate, as well as perfect its measures, without external bias-- I therefore would rather recommend to every gentleman who knows he is to be a member of the next congress, to take an enlarged view, and post himself as thoroughly as possible, so as to contribute his part to such an adjustment of the tariff, as shall produce a sufficient revenue, and in in its other bearings, so far as possible, be just and equal to all sections of the country & classes of the people--
Positively war mongering </sarcasm>