The country did change things. It changed an entrie base of power. Remember, Disaster is a form of change also.
We have an excellant oppertunity right now to examine in an actual learning labratory what Insecurity and fear, caused by the actions and/or inactions of our government, can do to the stability of our country. This I feel is very much like what the people of the South must have been going through the same fears and insecurity caused by the Lincoln election.