In the early years of the American Civil War, and particularly after First Manassas, the cause of the Union was not an overwhelmingly popular one. In fact, had Lincoln not instituted the draft, it is quite possible that the North would have lost the war, settling for an armistice in the face of numerous early defeats. I would state that, because conscription effectively ended and preserved the Union, that the Great Emancipator was justified in his use of it, and that in this case, it was a good thing.

Disagree?