Slavery would have ended and was phasing out. Lincoln knew that. The war wasn't about slavery. It was suppressing an Revolution of Independence.
Wrong. It was the confederates who first violated Kentucky's neutrality by occupying the town of Columbus, which had the effect of discrediting the secessionists in the state.
Then surely you won't have any trouble pointing to some quotes from Lincoln and from southern political leaders saying as much.
No. Why not tell us all about it?
How about the rushing of troops to Kentucky before to war to preempt them from succeeding?
A few minutes on Google would have shown you that the U.S. didn't send any troops into Kentucky until after Leonidas Polk had violated their neutrality by sending in rebel troops.
Slavery would have ended and was phasing out.
Another good one! Pray tell how was it being 'phased out'?
From the rebel standpoint it was all about slavery.
I know enough about Abe to know that his administration was light as a feather compared to Jeff Davis's regime. Widespread suppression of domestic dissent does not bode well for the success of what was supposed to be a revolution of independence.
Not to mention the invasion of Maryland and the placing of the legislature under house arrest at Fort McHenry--also before a vote on secession could be made.