Yes Lincoln would have dropped the issue, but the southern slave states knew the writing was on the wall. The historical balance between free and slave states w

Yes Lincoln would have dropped the issue, but the southern slave states knew the writing was on the wall. The historical balance between free and slave states was breaking down in 1850s and the slave states knew that it was only a matter of time before the more populous free states imposed their will on the south. The south chose to break away from the USA because they feared being expropriated of their wealth (most of the capital in the southern states was tied up in slaves). If the united states had chosen a path of full compensation to slave owners the civil war may have been avoided. I am not supporting slavery, just suggesting that the solution to issues like ending slavery (and carbon emissions) is better solved peacefully and with compensation than by force and war.