Replying to a message of Earl Croasmun to Bob Ackley:

 EC> Since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued as an executive order,
 EC> I would still feel that they have been around for a while.

That proclamation was only in effect for those areas not under the control of
the US government.  It did not affect slaves in Maryland, for instance.  It was
also unConstitutional - as was Mr. Lincoln's war.

Being shot in the head was the best thing that could have happened to the man.
It placed every single action he ever took beyond any criticism of any sort.  It
also prevented him from having to fight with the rabidly right wing congress, that
was left to Andrew Johnson.

--- FleetStreet 1.19+