Naw, Lincoln was very despotic. A lot of people don’t get just how badly the civil war destroyed states rights because it was considered justifiable to end slavery. Just as the first amendment was ripped open because it was considered justifiable to end “racism”.
But what are the examples of his despotism? I find him rather well-behaved as a leader of a country in civil war. For example, I would not be holding elections, especially ones that I expect to lose.
If the civil war destroyed states' rights, how did states manage to 'redeem' themselves and even de facto abrogate the Reconstruction amendments?
Habeas corpus? I mean, as far as constitutional violations go, "I'm suspending this without authority because Congress is not in session" ranks rather low.
And his handling of the initial secession of South Carolina was pretty much an egging on of violence.
That is just smart politics. He baited the enemy into firing first and galvanizing patriotic opinion in the North. If anyone made a mistake there, it's Davis for letting himself be baited like that.
Lincoln also was not extraordinary in what he did. Even James Buchanan was sending supplies to Fort Sumter, and in fact, he delayed a good deal less before so doing.
Lincoln offered to give up Fort Sumter if the Virginia secession convention would disband without seceding. Seems incredible to me (a permanent concession for a temporary one), but Lincoln said: "A fort for a state is good business."
His Emancipation Proclamation is an executive overreach that most forgive because slavery bad.
I'd say it can certainly be justified as a war measure. It's certainly no violation of federalism.
And he helped expand the power of the federal government and reduced the powers of the individual states.
In what ways specifically?
(Disclaimer: I'm not ideologically committed to defending Lincoln, though I do find him a rather admirable character, and I'm also not obsessed with slavery as a European. I just see a lot of groundless criticisms of Lincoln)
Did Lincoln violate federalism?
Any particular examples? I'm pretty sure he was better behaved than Wilson.
Naw, Lincoln was very despotic. A lot of people don’t get just how badly the civil war destroyed states rights because it was considered justifiable to end slavery. Just as the first amendment was ripped open because it was considered justifiable to end “racism”.
But what are the examples of his despotism? I find him rather well-behaved as a leader of a country in civil war. For example, I would not be holding elections, especially ones that I expect to lose.
If the civil war destroyed states' rights, how did states manage to 'redeem' themselves and even de facto abrogate the Reconstruction amendments?
No idea who Wilson James is. Woodrow Wilson.
Habeas corpus? I mean, as far as constitutional violations go, "I'm suspending this without authority because Congress is not in session" ranks rather low.
That is just smart politics. He baited the enemy into firing first and galvanizing patriotic opinion in the North. If anyone made a mistake there, it's Davis for letting himself be baited like that.
Lincoln also was not extraordinary in what he did. Even James Buchanan was sending supplies to Fort Sumter, and in fact, he delayed a good deal less before so doing.
Lincoln offered to give up Fort Sumter if the Virginia secession convention would disband without seceding. Seems incredible to me (a permanent concession for a temporary one), but Lincoln said: "A fort for a state is good business."
I'd say it can certainly be justified as a war measure. It's certainly no violation of federalism.
In what ways specifically?
(Disclaimer: I'm not ideologically committed to defending Lincoln, though I do find him a rather admirable character, and I'm also not obsessed with slavery as a European. I just see a lot of groundless criticisms of Lincoln)