Geeze! Lincoln pulled a Goering an made all them Union soldiers think it was all about Secession whereas the Southern States really weren't going to secede!!!
Brilliant, diabolical but brilliant. Now I unnerstand why folks hate Lincoln so much...
Now, you're just being ridiculous. You know the point. Lincoln wanted to save the Union alright, because the he couldn't lose the revenue from Southern ports. Customs and duties were the SOLE source of federal income in those days. Likewise, the Southern Constitution outlawed them, so Lincoln knew what would happen to northern ports if the south went free.
Yes, of course, Lincoln wanted to save the Union. He needed the money.
