"As I said before, in 1860 only a small population of radical abolitionists supported a sweeping national ban against slavery. Following events so dramatically changed American perceptions that by 1865---in only 5 years---the federal government (and most northerners) was pushing an emancipation amendment. This transition was not "inexcusably" slow, but remarkably swift."

Craig,

I think I did not word my question very clear, so I'll leave everything else off. Could you give more information and sources to support your above statement?

GP