[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp to PeaRidge: " 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."

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.

[PeaRidge]

Our pal, Brojoke, is pulling our legs.

The story of asking a state not to secede for a fort is newspaper fodder.

Lincoln did visit the Virginia Peace Conference, but as the President-elect. The Conference adjourned before he took office.

Therefore, he did not have the vested authority to make any offer. It was a dare on his part to avoid compromise.

Brojoke tried to offer up a conundrum but failed miserably.