One Hundred and Fifty Years Ago On This Day

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Zeke

It is buying the falsehood that only he could have accomplished this feat and deifying him for it.

Given the circumstances and alternatives -- presuming preservation of the Union was paramount -- any competent Executive would have been FORCED to make the same choice(s).

1. Do we want a Union?

Yes.

2. Can we exist with a free North and slave South?

Not any longer.

3. We have to take the South.

Clearly.

4. We have to free slaves.

See Number Two.

End result is what occurred.

Right?

Based on your initial assumption, I would agree that the remainder of your analysis is basically sound.

As to whether the preservation of the Union was necessary, or even wise at that particular point in time, is a topic which is best viewed as a separate issue.

Unfortunately, the fire breathers on both sides of the issue labored under the false assumption that somehow a civil war would be a gay affair settled within a month or two.

Now considering that what could have been, what should have been, and the ramifications of pursuing a different avenue can make for some interesting discussions, they are inconsequential as the water has already passed beneath the bridge. And they ignore the primary lesson.

Which is inflammatory rhetoric is a poor excuse for a rational dialogue. And had cooler heads prevailed, quite possibly none of this would have been necessary.

Chas