Maryland constitutional questions after Fort Sumter

[David Lockmiller]

(08-21-2020 02:14 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks, David. I think preserving the Union was more important to the President than the Constitution.

Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Team of Rivals, at page 356, reads:

To Lincoln's mind, the battle to save the Union contained an even larger purpose than ending slavery, which was after all sanctioned by the very Constitution he was sworn to uphold. "I consider the central idea pervading this struggle," he told Hay in early May [1861], "is the necessity that is upon us, of proving that popular government is not an absurdity. We must settle this question now, whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose. If we fail it will go far to prove the incapability of the people to govern themselves."