Answered

Prior to 1863 when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, the central issue for the north was not slavery, but what?

APreserving the Union.
BMaintaining the system of indentured servatude.
CBalance of power of legislatures within states.
DLeadership of the Soutern Convention.

Verified Answer :

xphenomx

The answer is preserving the Union

MrDonovan

The correct answer is A) Preserving the Union.

When Lincoln was elected president in 1860, he wanted to keep the Union together. This is why he did not want to try to abolish slavery where it existed. Rather, he was an advocate of stopping the institution from spreading to new territories that the United States was adding during this era of westward expansion.