As much as I appreciate some of the RESULTS of Lincoln's Presidency, I wonder if a truly great president couldn't have gotten the same results with less bloodshed, and without stirring up a century of resentment and backlash.

It seems very unlikely. I don't think the country could have avoided the slave thing erupting into war at some point -- unless the Union simply let the slave states walk, which I think a case could be made for. I know I'd be happier now if they were their own racist little enclave. Oh wait, they are.