Lincoln's Words

I went back and forth between admiration and confusion in regards to Lincoln before reading BCOF. But I now have nothing but admiration for the man. To do what he did ... I'm in awe. I can't imagine playing chess against the man. He juggled politics, war, personalities, heartache ... and he did it masterfully. I loved this quote:

“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. My paramount object in the struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery.”

This letter to the editor was an attempt to pacify the Democrats, subdue his detractors, encourage abolitionists, sway the public, embolden his troops ... he was a master.