While nobody is perfect, and it is currently in vogue to retroactively find flaws in otherwise great historical figures, Lincoln did still order the largest mass execution in US history: 38 Native Americans.

Apparently the preceding trials "were a farce", and Lincoln saw it as politically expedient.

I'm only mentioning this as a fan of Lincoln who recently stumbled across this fact. We must be careful of deifying human beings who ordered mass executions of indigenous people.

https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-2786870059

There are parallels with Obama (often hailed by the left as a "good president") who approved innumerable drone strikes that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths (more than George Bush). Was that morally justified?

Food for thought.

Anyway, sorry for the long response. I always enjoy reading your engaging articles.