Whether Lincoln did, or did not ponder this or that decision is as immaterial as to whether or not Dubyuh or any other president did or didn't. It wouldn't matter if they used a Ouija board and owl intestines. They were legally elected president. In each case the presidents did what they believed was best for the country. In both cases a significant proportion of the electorate came to lose confidence in their governance. In one case the dissenters were deprived of due process and had their property seized without compensation. In the other case they made cute movies.