Final answer:
Lincoln believed that the moral imperative to end slavery, magnified by the sacrifice of African American soldiers, justified strong measures, including political maneuvering, to pass the 13th Amendment. The political strategy of offering federal offices for votes might be seen as acceptable within the context of the urgency and complexity of the issue at hand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether Abraham Lincoln was justified in offering federal offices in return for votes on the 13th Amendment can be seen as a complex question of political ethics and historical context. An argument for the justification of such actions might stem from Lincoln's intense commitment to abolish slavery, as highlighted by his words following the contributions of black soldiers in the Civil War. The president expressed the necessity to keep his faith to both friends and enemies and recognized the sacrifices made by black Union troops. Consideration of emancipation as a pivotal element in the nation's moral and political landscape, and the contribution of African Americans to the Union cause, offered a substantial ethical foundation for Lincoln's pursuit of the 13th Amendment.
Moreover, the political landscape of the time involved factions with differing views on reconstruction and slavery. With contentious divisions within the Union, such as between moderate Republicans and Radical Republicans, Lincoln's approach to securing votes could also be seen as a pragmatic tactic necessary to achieve an urgent moral goal amidst the political realities of his time. In ending slavery, an objective seen as crucial for justice and national unity, the measures taken might be justified as serving a higher purpose, recognizing the intense pressure and significant challenges faced in achieving this goal.