Other historians have given more credit to Lincoln for what he accomplished within the tensions of his cabinet and a society at war, for his own growth in political and moral stature, and for the promise he held out to the slaves.
Andre historikere har givet Lincoln mere ros for, hvad han opnåede i lyset af de spændinger, der var i hans kabinet og et samfund i krig, for at han selv voksede i politisk og moralsk statur, og for det løfte han gav til slaverne.