[Reily]

Oh please!
Have you have ever actually read anything on the Civil War or the politics of the Antebellum period? If you have you would know that just buying up the slaves was not in the cards or even possible. Something along those lines was floated as part of the founding of Liberia. Lincoln in meeting with free black leaders during the war even suggested it, for he couldn't see how after the injuires of slavery and Southern resentment for the war how the two races could ever live it peace. (I assume this was during one of Lincoln's more morose moments where he doubted humanity's capability to actually do the right thing!)

It was suggested by anti-slavery politicians and organizations multiple times and was always met with howls of indignation both North and South.

Lincoln fought the war to preserve the Union, in fact he said multiple times if he could preserve the Union by freeing no slaves, all slaves or some slaves he would do so.
Now its another issue as to whether Lincoln had the right to preserve the Union by force. Unfortunately the Civil War was probably unavoidable, from my study of that era the real raping of the Constitution was started in Reconstruction, then went industrial strength with both Roosevelts. When Paul first appeared on my political horizon I was quite intrigued. My first reaction was perhaps another Phil Crane type of Constitutionalist, but after several years of listening and reading some of his writings (like his newsletter) its clear he is in his "own world" and its not a rational one!

[GeorgeSaden]

It was suggested by anti-slavery politicians and organizations multiple times and was always met with howls of indignation both North and South.

Right. People were as close-minded then as they are today.

[Eagle Eye]

Why should I read Shelby Foote when your lessons are so much better?

The point is that Lincoln did not want to free slaves or
abolish slavery.

He preferred waiting until he could find a general who would endure the required death toll in order to preserve the Union.

I’ve never understood the logic of those who thought slavery was wrong but killing to free them was right.

Or the logic of killing people on a genocidal scale to keep them from having independence.