Lincoln IMHO was the most shrewd guy to ever sit in the White House. However, I am of the opinion that slavery would have died out on it’s own.Had the Abolitionist practiced patience, I sincerely believe the Civil War could have been avoided.
Lincoln was also a polarizing figure; very controversial. His war was devastating - 600,000 dead; nearly two percent of the nation's 31 million population.
This would be equivalent of the United States losing 6 million dead in a 2015 war. Not to mention the near total devastation of 11 states - cities, transportation infrastructure, homes, farms, and livestock.
Many say it was worth it because only a strong, robust federal government can ensure “a standard toeboard shall be 4 inches nominal in vertical height from its top edge to the level of the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. It shall be securely fastened in place and with not more than 1/4-inch clearance above floor level.”
Arguably we got our money's worth.
This echos my thinking as well. The ironic thing is that the primary trigger which initiated the Abolitionist movements in the United States was the Declaration of Independence and it's statement that "all men are created equal..."
The Declaration kick started the whole thing.
It wasn't the abolitionists who needed to practice patience. It also wasn't the abolitionists who instigated, initiated, and declared war against their own neighbors and fellow countrymen.
I am of the opinion that slavery would have died out on it’s own.
The slavocracy attempted to found their "nation" upon the perpetuation of the Particular Institution. It was their dream that owning other humans would last forever.