Thank you for your thoughtful response. I could address your clear points, one at a time. But, I've been doing that for decades. That's a road which leads no where. Too much has to be untangled -- fact from fiction, truth and partial truth, etc.

1. It boils down to the question of whether you want to put the war behind you (where it belongs) or keep fighting it (hopefully, by words only) to vindicate the terrible costs paid by the South as just and sensible. I think I understand your feelings in wanting to do this.

But, if you wish to do what's best for the country -- as it now exists -- and for those you love -- then look at the big picture. If not, then our discussion is headed no where -- and pointless dissatisfaction will continue for another confused generation.

Are we better off because the war ended the way it did -- or not?

I say we're better off -- and went into a great deal of detail as to why. If you think we're worse off, then please explain why.

2. By the way, I didn't say I didn't know what the North wanted -- I said it wanted many things -- and you can't simplify it into one big thing -- except to preserve the nation which would have been destroyed by breaking it up.

And, even if I had no idea what the North wanted, I still could suggest what would have happened if the North did say "Go your own way, erring sisters." As Mr. Lincoln responded to General Meade, after Gettysburg, when he said "the invaders have left our soil." The President responded "when will my generals learn that IT IS ALL OUR SOIL?" The whole nation is American -- and no one has the right to reject the Constitution, once it was made a "perpetual Union" and sworn to by the required number of States.

3. And, Lincoln DID have much to say about slavery, for years prior to and during the Civil War. He just could figure no way of removing slavery, short of containing the growth of slavery (till it died) or buying the slaves. The South gave the answer by starting the war -- then daring the Union to come there and fight it. If it didn't, the South would have won. But won what?

The South began the war by withdrawing from the Union and trying to set up a new country. And, that would have killed the nation and Mr. Lincoln would have failed in his oath to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

The "slave power" wanted no interference in its money-making and undeserved privileges. This is clear and cannot be seriously refuted. Slavery was, indeed, at the very root of that war.

4. By the way, the common definition for "Civil War" is "a war between citizens of the same country." What is your definition, please?