Slavery was an ugly sight in the nation's capital in the years leading up to the Civil War, a sore on the heart of democracy. Slave pens and auctions were out in the open air. In an odd irony, an old jail for slaves stood on the site of the Supreme Court.

Then something amazing happened. As the Civil War raged, President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in the District of Columbia — 150 years ago this week. The 3,100 enslaved people were the first in the nation to be emancipated.

Historians see this as a walk-up to the Emancipation Proclamation, which Lincoln issued on Jan. 1, 1863. Amid fanfare for a good deed done by signing an act of Congress, it's worth noting Lincoln's track from there. They make useful travel tips for Barack Obama, facing a rough campaign of his own.

The Civil War was going badly for Lincoln in April 1862. His generals feared their showy foe in the field, Robert E. Lee. In its second spring, all that was clear was the war wasn't going to end soon. But the Confederacy never grasped this truth: Lincoln never lost a fight in his life.

By contrast, even Obama's friends think he's too cool, cautious and nice when the stakes are high and the money is down. Restraint is fine, but political warfare demands passion and holding ground that can't be crossed.

From the start, Obama watered down what he stood for. The economic stimulus was too small to power a recovery. He surrendered the public option in health care reform. Third, he extended the Bush tax cuts in a cold economic climate. Why, why, why?

Lincoln, too, calibrated everything. The shrewd railroad lawyer from the West was never an abolitionist. At first, his goal was simply to keep the Union whole. His 1862 emancipation compensated slave owners. He had not yet redefined the Civil War. But he noted the boost to Union morale when he freed a few thousand slaves; what would happen if he freed 3 million or more?

That's when Lincoln went to the well for the deepest thought of his presidency. Fortunately, he found a beautiful, green sojourn. The president's summer "cottage," really a mansion, at the Soldiers' Home was the perfect 3-mile horseback ride away from the tumult. Lincoln loved the peace of the place and made the daily ride to stay at the residence.

Containing slavery's spread was all he had hoped for. But the president had seen the cuts of slavery up close before, when he served in Congress in the 1840s. Slaves labored on the unfinished marble Capitol. Inside, the antebellum Congress was so furiously divided over slavery that a "gag rule" silenced mention of it. Vexed lawmakers were officially not debating what was tearing the nation apart. At 53 in 1862, Lincoln felt pensive and old; his face was aging fast. But he felt wise enough to see history's river, wide as the Mississippi, flow for him to abolish slavery.

By summer's end, Lincoln made up his mind to free the slaves in the rebel states — outright. With lawyerly caution, he let "border states" keep slavery intact. By any measure, it was a bold and magnificent move for freedom. No price was paid to owners. No act of Congress stole his thunder. Lincoln saw the strategic value of enlisting freed black soldiers, but also knew the Emancipation Proclamation was his surpassing act.

What this means for Obama: Lincoln was a rough draft when he came to Washington. His convictions deepened in conflict. The greatest president became emboldened in office.

And Lincoln used the Southern city out his door, Washington, as his testing ground.

To find out more about Jamie Stiehm, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

To find out more about Jamie Stiehm, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.