I knew that Lincoln wanted to compensate Unionists slaveholders because he did it when their "property" was commandeered for slave labor. Knowing the resolve of the Confederates (i.e. Southerners), he never had any intention of advocating compensation to them. The EP is hard evidence of his political savvy and insincerity. No, the logical and peaceful course of events would have been the European solution, pass legislation that provides compensation for slave owners and gradual, humane emancipation of slaves...prior to provoking a secession of the Southern States. Lincoln needed a war to subjugate the South, to Centralize the government and nullify the 9th and 10th Amendments.