Hi David,

I find your post very useful because I think it illustrates the logic many of the secessionists used in 1861.

You write:

"He refused to talk with the South, he never tried to, his silence towards the Southerners spoke volumes to them of his reluctance to solve the problem."

That is an astounding claim! Lincoln's political career, from 1854 until the end of his life was devoted to "speaking to the South." Lincoln meant what he said during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, the Cooper Union Address, and the First Inaugural. After the election, he corresponded with Alexander Stephens, the future Vice President of the Confederacy. Lincoln wrote Stephens:

"Do the people of the South really entertain fears that a Republican administration would, directly, or indirectly, interfere with their slaves, or with them, about their 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."

Re-read the First Inaugural. Who are the "dissatisfied countrymen" Lincoln pleads with throughout the speech? The Confederacy had six weeks to carefully read that speech before Fort Sumter unfolded. Lincoln meant what he said in public and followed through on his word.

You write:

"The majority of Southerners, prior to the call for troops, were looking for Lincoln to assure them safety and protection, but he did not."

Again, read the First Inaugural. Lincoln was serious. Secession was based, in part, on an irrational fear of what they thought Lincoln might do. They didn't take him at his word.

You write:

"The starting of the Civil War by Lincoln, except for the attempt on Fort Pickens, was not a sneak attack, it was a well orchastrated manuver involving many people. He provoked the Confederates to act, an act that did not cause the death of anyone, then called for 75,000 troops to invade the South. He recklessy unleashed the terrors of war when it was not necessary."

Jefferson Davis hardly said it better in his memoir. Saddle Lincoln with the blame for making the Confederacy fire the first shot. "Look what you made us do!"

You write:

"If Lincoln did not want war he should have made peace then negotiate with the Southern people. They were Americans with long American histories, he could have tried with them first before declaring war on them."

What would George Washington have done? What would Andrew Jackson have done?

Best,
Sam.