How does lincoln convey the idea that the federal government's position on slavery before the war was reasonable and measured? he provides statistics on the nation's population trends about the quantity and location of slaves. he depicts the federal government as merely wanting to act within its rights to limit slavery, not abolish it. he hints that rebels wanted to use the slavery issue to disrupt the nation's unity, creating two separate countries. he describes those in favor of slavery as insurgents seeking to expand slavery's presence.