Diogeneslamp: ***”He [Lincoln] would hardly say so now would he?”***
Well.. of course if you are allowed to put words in Lincoln’s mouth he never said and motives in his heart he never expressed, then,,, then I can put all kinds of juicy words & motives on, let’s say, Jefferson Davis, how would you like that?
Diogeneslamp: ***”We know he gave secret orders to Lieutenant Porter, because Porter seized the flagship of the Sumter expedition and took it to Pensacola...”***
Those orders originated with Seward and Lincoln said it was a screwup.
Regardless, we have Jefferson Davis’ own words saying he intended to start war at Fort Sumter or Pickens or both, and yet Diogeneslamp still yammers on about Lincoln’s resupply mission as the “real cause”.
Why?
Don't care. Jefferson Davis never had control of whether or not there was going to be a war. Only Lincoln had that control.
Those orders originated with Seward and Lincoln said it was a screwup.
A particularly miraculous screwup that kept all his ships from being destroyed and gave him the excuse to start the war he wanted and needed anyway.
Only example of which I am aware that the master politician ever made such a bungled screwup.
As a political tactic, this "screwup" was perfect. Absolutely perfect.