I'm thoroughly confused about the psychology of this thread, but I do know that Lincoln came into office with a plan that was much longer term in thinking. He was hoping to purchase emancipation of all slaves over a 40 year period ending in 1900. Circumstances caused the more immediate release of the slaves and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. Plane is correct that people, especially Quakers and also some foreign pressure pushed for abolition.
What isn't being mentioned here and considering it is Black History Month I think it is especially appropriate, is that yes the slaves were freed, but it took another 100 years for African-Americans to gain anything resembling equal rights. Add to that the fact that racism is still a major obstacle today. I'd say that the government, private sector, and people still have a good ways to go.