This is a very well-written essay. Thank you. I think it is funny, but perhaps tragic, how Americans hold history and mythology on the same topic, with esteem, simultaneously. I think more people than we give credit understand Lincoln and slavery just fine. But we do like our heros. As you excellently describe, the mythological writings of the Lincoln biographers left such an impression that modern (current era) historians who know more of the actual truth, still offer god-like reverence to the man.