George , I fully agree. An egomaniac is an egomaniac and we see what they can and will do to a country. But this can apply to political parties and their policies also, and the republican party in 1860, was about solidifing their political power in congress and the country.
Slavery alone was NOT the nationalistic issue that could give them that power. But, patriotism is such a powerful issue. And that call to patriotism is evident within this same platform plank.