[Michael.SF.]

I doubt that any of that stuff amounts to much compared to telling a man you have the right to sell his wife and kids.

It is always difficult to separate 'causes' of the war vs. 'outcomes' of the war.

Surely you realize that Lincoln had more interest in saving the Union then for freeing the slaves (as noble as that cause may be).

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Surely you realize that Lincoln had more interest in saving the Union then for freeing the slaves (as noble as that cause may be).

As he should have - for one thing, he'd have had no power to free the slaves if he hadn't preserved the Union. In any event, he did both. Easily the greatest president this nation has ever had - none of the work the founders did would have mattered or lasted if a lesser man had allowed the US to fragment. The world today would be a much different and worse place.

[gusopol3]

I’m glad we can end in agreement. Thanks.