Executive Authority: Lincoln's use of executive authority during the Civil War was almost always legal and justified. Though some of his acts did ride the line between legal and illegal politics his use of executive authority was always justified and, though it can be argued that some of his policies were illegal, they were never morally wrong. His suspension of habeas corpus was, by far, the most controversial but was necessary because of the current …showed first 75 words of 621 total…

…showed last 75 words of 621 total…could be said to be illegal they all provided for increased national security and, therefore, are justified and should be held to without question. His suspension of habeas corpus, his restriction of the press, his call for a draft and the emancipation proclamation were all justified by a greater need to preserve the union. Without these bold acts Lincoln would have been allowing our country to destroy itself and what the founding fathers had created.