Page "Abraham Lincoln" Paragraph 52

The war effort was the source of continued disparagement of Lincoln, and dominated his time and attention.

From the start, it was clear that bipartisan support would be essential to success in the war effort, and any manner of compromise alienated factions on both sides of the aisle, such as the appointment of Republicans and Democrats to command positions in the Union Army.

Copperheads criticized Lincoln for refusing to compromise on the slavery issue.

Conversely, the Radical Republicans criticized him for moving too slowly in abolishing slavery.

On August 6, 1861, Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act that authorized judiciary proceedings to confiscate and free slaves who were used to support the Confederate war effort.

In practice the law had little effect, but it did signal political support for abolishing slavery in the Confederacy