Some interesting quotes from Lincoln:
"Do the people of the South really entertain fear that a Republican administration would, directly or indirectly, interfere with their slaves, or with them about their slaves? If they do, I wish to assure you, as once a friend, and still, I hope, not an enemy, that there is no cause for such fears." December 22, 1860 in a letter to Alexander H. Stevens
"I declare that I have no intention, directly or indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the states where it exists." Inaugural Address
"I sincerely regret that the failure of the attempt to provision Fort Sumter should be the source of annoyance to you...You and I both anticipated that the cause of the country would be advanced by making the attempt to provision Fort Sumter, even if it should fail; and it is no small consolation now to feel that our anticipation is justified by the result." May 1, 1861 to Captain G.V. Fox
After Sherman's victory over the helpless women and children of Georgia, Lincoln wrote to him: "The undertaking being a great success, the honor is all yours."
"Any people, anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable, a most sacred right, a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world." On the floor of Congress in 1847