Good post and points mostly well taken, but a couple of corrections. Lincoln was certainly personally against slavery, but also believed he had no power as President to end it. The Emancipation Proclamation certainly was a first step toward ending it, but as a practical matter, it actually did not free a single slave. It was intended solely as a military measure that would stir unrest among slaves in the Confederacy and work to undermine the Southern economy. Slaves in the border states and in areas under Federal control at the time were not freed.
Also Lincoln had nothing at all to do with passage of the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) for two reasons. Presidents don’t actually have any Constitutional role in the amendment process and even if they did, Lincoln was dead when these amendments were proposed and ratified.
Lincoln, has he lived, may not even have supported these amendments. Lincoln’s view was that the war should be ended, the union restored, and the seceding states welcomed back and essentially forgiven. The Reconstruction amendments were passed primarily as a punitive measure toward the Confederacy. Radical Republicans opposed Lincoln’s proposed restoration plans and favored a punitive peace. With Lincoln’s assassination, the Radical Republicans were able to dominate the government, overriding Johnson’s vetos on many important measures, and implement their Reconstruction plans. They feared that the SCOTUS might overturn much of what they did, hence the amendments. Also, not insignificantly, the 15th Amendment had the added benefit of adding many new Republican voters to the roles, ensuring their continued political power.
“Lincoln was dead when these amendments were proposed and ratified.”
Not true for the 13th Amendment.
That amendment passed the Senate April 8th 1864. It passed the House Jan 31, 1865. It was forwarded to the States for consideration Feb 1 1865. Lincoln lobbied both Houses of Congress quite heavily for the passage of the 13th Amendment.
I have come to believe that was it's only intended purpose. I seem to get more cynical with each passing year. It's about power. It's always about power.
This existing election is about *POWER*. Not about what is best for the nation.