[Maelstrom]

Give yourself some credit.

He supported centralizing government and placing power in the hands of a very few...himself and corporate backers.

He opposed the individual in most venues and opposed power in the states that might keep the government from over-stepping it's bounds.

He jailed opponents, exiled others...the guy *was* left of center. The social and economic views that he supported did not limit government power over the economy nor over society.

If anything, I would admit that he was constrained by the mores and education of his time. I think he'd be just like Ted Kennedy today.

[Non-Sequitur]

You just described Jefferson Davis to a tee.

[WhiskeyPapa]

He supported centralizing government and placing power in the hands of a very few...himself and corporate backers.

That's absolute nonsense. The big money in 1860-61 was for appeasemet of the south at almost any price.

And one of Lincoln's best known quotes:

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy."

What's wrong with that?

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

He opposed the individual in most venues and opposed power in the states that might keep the government from over-stepping it's bounds.

And how did Lincoln manifest all this?

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

He jailed opponents, exiled others...

The police chief of Baltimore was arrested for a time. He was released and was later a serving officer in the rebel army.

Consider this:

"It was to Lincoln's credit that early in 1862, when General McClellan was about to advance upon Richmond and hopes of an early victory ran high, he ordered that all political prisoners in military custody be released upon parole and granted an amnesty for past offenses. Extraordinary arrests by the military authorities would continue: all spies, secret agents, and conspirators whom the secretary of war regarded as dangerous to the public safety would be taken up and kept in custody. But the old slate was wiped clean.

And it was to Stanton's credit that he adopted a sensible course for sifting the great body of prisoners held on various charges, and releasing most of them. He appointed John A. Dix and Edwards Pierrepont as commissioners to examine those held in the New York area and render a quick verdict. Visiting Fort Lafayette and other prisons, by April 1862 they had practically finished their work. The judge advocate of the army for the Washington area was empow­ered to dispose of prisoners arrested in the Federal District and adjacent Virginia. Governor David Tod of Ohio was authorized to use a special agent to investigate cases, with a promise that any prisoner would be released on his recommendation."

-- from a website.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

...the guy *was* left of center. The social and economic views that he supported did not limit government power over the economy nor over society.

I dunno about that. Some of the neo-rebs try to belittle Lincoln because he apparently said in February 1865 regarding free blacks -- "Let 'em root hog, or die."

That may sound harsh to a modern ear, but it is exactly what he was left to do himself. Few people have had a tougher early life as Abraham Lincoln and then rose so high.

Walt