The South considered Lincoln so “black” an abolitionist that its leaders pronounced themselves ready to succeed from the Union rather than accept his election… This was a recognition of the major difference between Lincoln and every other presidential candidate since John Quincy Adams: Lincoln was willing to regard slavery as a moral issue – as […]

Lincoln was known to have told one of this generals, Daniel H. Chamberlain, that he considered himself “only an instrument” in the antislavery struggle. “The logic and power of (William Lloyd) Garrison,” said Lincoln, “and the antislavery people of the country and the army, have done it all.”