Final answer:
Antislavery advocates saw Lincoln's efforts to purchase freedom for slaves as an act of compassion. His policies aimed at compensatory emancipation faced resistance but reflected a humane approach to ending slavery. It was the Thirteenth Amendment that finally abolished slavery, echoing Lincoln's compassionate stance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antislavery advocates regarded Lincoln's willingness to purchase the freedom of slaves as an act of compassion. This perspective stems from the acknowledgment of his attempts to provide a path towards emancipation where none previously existed. Lincoln's various proposals, including compensatory emancipation, faced challenges and were part of his broader strategy towards ending slavery harmoniously within the Union. While there were contrasting opinions about Lincoln's actions, with some viewing them critically due to factors such as economic competition fears from freed slaves, abolitionists saw these actions as advancing the humanitarian cause of ending the practice of slavery.
Lincoln attempted to implement gradual, compensated emancipation plans in border states like Delaware and Kentucky. However, these were met with resistance stemming from racial hostilities and concerns over equality. The success of the Thirteenth Amendment ultimately served to abolish slavery nationwide, further reinforcing the notion that Lincoln's efforts were indeed compassionate towards those enslaved.