First, on our Civil War diary, my thanks to sane democrat. For me at least, it was fun, and a great example of why I became a kossack. That's not a discussion I'm having at my neighborhood bar. (But, maybe I'm not a good example, living in Puerto Rico primarily.)
I respectfully present for discussion, the issue of Reconstruction.
I'd like to start with the classic and oft-posited question - what if Lincoln lived to carry out his Reconstruction plans? His famous phrase from his Second Inaugural Address "With malice toward none, with charity for all," is used to claim that Lincoln would have pursued a 'conciliatory' approach to Reconstruction. Certainly, in the rush to reconciliation, the use of Lincoln, the greatest American and the icon of the North, was understandable. But is it accurate?
I think not. Lincoln's wisdom and writings, he was, with Mark Twain, the finest American writer of the 19th Century for my taste, lead me to believe otherwise.
We too easily forget that our heroes, our icons, were human. Lincoln was not an empty slate who would whip out the wisest most judicious decisions from on high. They came from a philosphy built over a life experience. Indeed, I would argue that Lincoln's decisions can be easily placed within a philosophical framewrok that developed through his lifetime.
He was a practical man. A politician who understood the art of the possible (something we Dems should remember, particularly when we consider the Big Dog). But he wanted results. He would not compromise for compromise's sake. No friend of both aisles.
I think Lincoln would have viewed the problem of reconstruction in a results-oriented way. Which begs the question - what result would Lincon have wanted to achieve with Reconstruction. Reconciliation? Certainly. But a reconciliation that included the reconciliation and integration of the former slaves. In that sense, he would have fallen with the Radicals I think. But he would have looked for the best way to achieve the goals of the Radicals. Dare I say it, a third way.
Now, was Reconstruction ever Radical? To me, Professor Foner answers this question with his seminal work Reconstruction 1863-1877. His answer is yes. In particular, the signs of early Reconstruction (the Sea Island experiment for example), supports the view that Lincoln was prepared to adopt innovative programs to empower the former slaves. What would Lincoln have done? Whatever worked. That simple. This flexibility of means to achieve ends was perhaps the greatest of Lincoln's political gifts.