Alexander Stephens was an interesting figure. He was a Southern moderate, initially opposed secession and war. Then became Confederate Vice President and defended both. Met with Lincoln in 1865 in last ditch peace negotiation.
He had a correspondence with Lincoln in 1860:
“”Letter to Alexander H. Stephens
(For your own eye only.)
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 22, 1860.
My dear Sir: Your obliging answer to my short note is just received, and for which please accept my thanks. I fully appreciate the present peril the country is in, and the weight of responsibility on me. Do the people of the South really entertain fears that a Republican administration would, directly or indirectly, interfere with the slaves, or with them about the slaves? If they do, I wish to assure you, as once a friend, and still, I hope, not an enemy, that there is no cause for such fears. The South would be in no more danger in this respect than it was in the days of Washington. I suppose, however, this does not meet the case. You think slavery is right and ought to be extended, while we think it is wrong and ought to be restricted. That, I suppose, is the rub. It certainly is the only substantial difference between us.
Yours very truly,
A. LINCOLN.””