Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln saw the Civil War as a necessary means to preserve the union and later to end slavery. His dedication to these causes is reflected in the Emancipation Proclamation and his wartime writings, indicating a strategic and moral stance rather than opposition to the war itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abraham Lincoln's writings reveal his views on war, particularly the Civil War, which he believed was necessary to preserve the union and eventually to abolish slavery. Initially, Lincoln did not advocate for immediate abolition but felt slavery would die out naturally.
However, as the war progressed, he recognized the strategic and moral imperative to end slavery, which led to his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The memo released before the 1864 election aimed to signal his commitment to seeing the war through to the preservation of the union and the end of slavery, not necessarily indicating opposition to continuing the war. Lincoln thought that by freeing the slaves, he could weaken the Confederate war effort and secure a quicker end to the conflict.