This is a question for those who are interested in what the war was fought over. Let us look at the scenario that Lincoln found a way to win the war in twelve to twenty four months. No Emancipation Proclamation was ever declared by him as, since this was a war measure, by his own admission, the war was over before it got to that point. Is there anyone who thinks we would be talking about a "war to free the slaves"?

I guess history is like stand-up comedy... "timing is everything" :0)