Thanks. It seems clear to me that Lincoln had no strict adherence to either principle, and would simply go whichever way he thought would benefit him the most.
Whichever way you look at it, he was either denying people their freedom, or he was giving away states that he had no right to give.
That's only because you stubbornly refuse to understand the real Lincoln and only substitute your caricature of "Ape" Lincoln instead.
In reality, as opposed to your Lost Cause fantasies, Lincoln held first to the principle of preserving the Union, as much as possible, without starting a war.
Thus he negotiated with Virginians offering them "a fort for a state", to give up Fort Sumter if they promised to adjourn their secession convention.
The fact that Virginians turned down Lincoln's offer reflects poorly on them, not Lincoln.