Which of the Following Was a Reason for Lincoln's Avoidance

Which of the following was a reason for Lincoln's avoidance of the issue of slavery early in the war?

A) Officials in the border states coerced Lincoln into remaining silent on the issue.
B) Lincoln wanted Republican Party officials to accept a leadership position on the issue of slavery.
C) Because all northerners saw slavery as a moral outrage, Lincoln saw no reason to deal with the issue.
D) Bringing up the issue would have destroyed any chance of a pro-Union majority asserting itself in the South.