I got around to looking through this Emancipation Proclamation traffic today and ran across this: "He started that war. He freed no slaves, ever. He hated black people and wanted to send them all back to Africa. He was an atheist and a communist, who threw our Constitution out the window. Since 1860, we the people have been paying the price for his reign of tyranny." and, "...It was simply a last ditch political move to keep England and France out of the war. I'm fairly new to this list. Did I get the lay of the land all wrong here? But with regard to the E.P., to say that Lincoln published the proclamation only to keep England and France out of the war is a narrow view of a much more complex issue. Lincoln was a shrewd politician and made many conflicting statements over his terms of office that, when taken at face value, would appear duplicitous. But, in the long view, lets not forget that Presidents are tugged this way and that by various constituencies, always in conflict with one another, have the luxury, and principled comfort of uncompromising righteousness. So, less he lose broad support, needed to soothe these groups, to keep them in check, at least for a while. If this makes him "ol ly an abe", so be it. I challenge anyone to tell me who would have managed this better than he under those particular circumstances. Certainly not Jeff Davis and the Southern Aristocracy -- no consideration for the "greater good" from them. Its clear, now, that their cookie jar of lies and crimes were pretty full by the end of 1864. The fact is, the Republican Party rose to prominence in the North on the shoulders of abolitionists and antislavery sympathizers. This was the predominant point of view of the region at the time. This was Lincoln's base. That was also his Congress. The very same Congress that enacted the 1st and 2nd Confiscation Act in July, 1862, which provided for the freedom of slaves of states in rebellion. This predated Lincoln's preliminary E.P. by 2 months. He presented his first draft of the document to his cabinet soon after the enactment of the Confiscation Act, but found no enthusiasm for its issuance. He was probably trying to get ahead of Congress on the issue. The timing was all wrong. He needed a victory. Before such victory, the Proclamation would have been seen as a last ditch effort of a losing cause. This is the precise opinion of Lincoln's own Cabinet members, when considered along with Pope's disaster at second Monassas in August, and all the other disasters, defeats, and missed chances, up to that point. Antietam -- 17 Sept. 1862. I am mindful that it can be argued both ways as to who came out ahead at the conclusion of the fighting. McClelland's getting a heads up was mostly responsible for doing as well as they did. But the Federals were in possession of the field and the Confederates were characterized as having to retreat back across the river to safe haven. Considering the state of things, the North considered this a victory. Lincoln presented the preliminary E.P. to the Cabinet on 22 Sept. 1862. The Preliminary E.P. had several functions, none of which served to free any slaves. 1. To keep England and France from mediating the separation of the country. After all, they wanted their precious cotton back. If Lincoln couldn't find it in himself to take a stand on slavery, then he obviously did not feel that strongly about its demise. 2. To run it by the Army and see how it played. 3. To play to his abolitionist base, always a good thing with a looming mid-term election. 4. To link abolition of slavery to the greater goal of maintenance of the Union. 5. To induce, in the minds of southerners, in general, the idea that the Federal Govt. remained preeminent, and that the southerners were insurrectionists -- not revolutionaries. There was not a further E.P. after final publication in Jan. 1863. "Lincoln was a lier? Lincoln was a politician. Remove the log from your own eye before you point out the splinter in mine -- Jesus. "Lincoln was communist" Now, this proposition I have not heard before. True, Lincoln and Marx were contemporaries. Has anyone seen source documents that suggest that Lincoln read Marx & Engels. I doubt the Communist Manifesto was an easy "get" out west in Illinois. "He hated blacks" I don't think "hate" is correct. I believe he told a group of black leaders in the White House (first ever black delegation in history to visit the place) that blacks and whites were too different to live together and it would be best if they all migrated to some colony in South America. Not many takers on that offer. "Lincoln was an atheist" Absolutely untrue. Lincoln addresses were riddled with Biblical References and inferences. Lincoln believed in God without reservation. He didn't much care for communing in Church, however. "Since 1860, we the people have been paying the price for his reign of tyranny." I have absolutely nothing to say about this, because I just don't get it. Now, for the sake of dispassionate discourse among us CW and history hobbyists and scholars I offer the following in conclusion. My family (Hearn, Hearne,) were moderately large slave holders on tobacco plantations on the eastern shore of Maryland from about 1670 to 1774 when my branch moved down to Montgomery Co. N.C. (no slaves) then on to Arkansas River Valley (Pope Co. 1842 and no slaves). James Hearn, who moved from Maryland to N.C. moved on to Ohio river valley about 1807, or so, with second wife and a new set of children leaving the older sons in N.C. So, by 1861 there were Northern cousins and Southern cousins. Some rotted away in Andersonville, I am told. Others, my ancestors, nearly starved to death behind the defenses of Vicksburg, (Sgt. M.G. Hearne, Ist Ark. Cav.).All suffered immeasurably. All for the maintenance of African Slavery. I write this because Sgt. Hearne was clear in his memoirs about what he thought the War was all about. Four generations have passed between he and my generation. I for one will take his lead. He read much on the War in his later years, especially Grant's memoirs, which he took exception to, but he held no malice "to the Federals or Union People". The War being over, he went home, got married, raised a large family, worshipped his God, planted his corn, and lived in peace. M.L. Hearn Merritt Island, fl.

For the many members who have joined the list in the past few months: The Civil War list started in 1995 for the discussion of the Civil War in its historical context and for helping people to find their ancestors. The guidelines which describe some of the things the list is not used for are posted at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mruddy/guidline.htm It is not a monitored list which means someone can post whatever they want to -- once. There are certain forbidden posts which will result in immediate whiffing with no forgiveness: racial or religious slurs and filthy language. The list has many members who are good people with lots of information on the war between the states and sources which can help others in their genealogical or military research. Members whose ancestors fought in the war are justly proud of the roll their ancestors took in laying their lives on the line or, in some cases, laying down their lives, for different causes, but a cause each side believed was just. It is expected respect for both viewpoints will be adhered to when posting. If anyone wishes clarification of the guidelines or wants my opinion, just email me: [email protected] Mike