Lincoln did not claim slavery was a reason even in his Emancipation Proclamations on Sept. 22, 1862, and Jan. 1, 1863. Moreover, Lincoln's proclamations exempted a million slaves under his control from being freed (including General U.S. Grant's four slaves) and offered the South three months to return to the Union (pay 40 percent sales tax) and keep their slaves. None did. Lincoln affirmed his only reason for issuing was: "as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said (tax) rebellion."
You are barking up the wrong tree. I have never maintained that slavery was an issue to Lincoln, but it was THE issue for the South. And the war would NOT have occurred had the South not perceived the future term under Lincoln to be perilous to the continuation of slavery. You are arguing a point not at issue.
Lincoln did not claim slavery was a reason even in his Emancipation Proclamations on Sept. 22, 1862, and Jan. 1, 1863. Moreover, Lincoln's proclamations exempted a million slaves under his control from being freed (including General U.S. Grant's four slaves) and offered the South three months to return to the Union (pay 40 percent sales tax) and keep their slaves. None did. Lincoln affirmed his only reason for issuing was: "as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said (tax) rebellion."
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You are barking up the wrong tree. I have never maintained that slavery was an issue to Lincoln, but it was THE issue for the South. And the war would NOT have occurred had the South not perceived the future term under Lincoln to be perilous to the continuation of slavery. You are arguing a point not at issue.