A Happy New Year for humanity?

Kind of yes - on January 1, 1863 this proclamation has been signed by Abraham Lincoln freeing slaves and putting pressure on the South. A move that stopped Britain to support the South which was now officially only the state of slavery. A huge political and strategic success of Lincoln.

Abolitionists had long been urging Lincoln to free all slaves hower PR expert Abraham positioned his main goal is to save the Union with our without slavery. A fantastic move!

If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.... I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free.