What about the Southern populace? Didn't they deserve to know that their government was preparaing an act of war? Without the approval of their congress, I might add.
IMHO, the Southern populace understood what was likely to happen when Major Anderson abandoned Ft. Moultrie for Ft. Sumter.
As far as Lincoln's trap for the Northern populace.... that's a politician for ya. Always manipulating the public. Makes me all the more grateful that we have the internet now!!!!