[Paul Ross]

Lincoln abolished slavery--only in states that were in rebellion, as an act of war against the Southern economy and as a way of nurturing internal rebellion

Frankly, this seriously misrepresents the depth of Lincoln's opposition to slavery. And he was absolutely crucial and, indeed, pivotal in pushing forward the 13th and 14th Constitutional Amendments (passed after his death) which abolished slavery (nationwide) and preserved their civil rights...

[Destro]

Its just Lincoln thought preserving the Union was more important than abolishing slavery. Or in other words allowing the Union to break up was a greater evil than allowing the evil of Slavery to continue.

[aristeides]

It's true enough that Lincoln played a major role in getting the 13th Amendment ratified, but what did he have to do with the 14th Amendment? My understanding is, it wasn't even drafted until problems appeared in the enforcement of the Reconstruction Act of 1865 (passed, unless I am mistaken, after Lincoln's assassination.)