His act was the worst thing that could've happened to the South. It didn't make a single bit of difference to the outcome of the Late Unpleasantness Between the States, but it directly led to Reconstruction--Lincoln was a big proponent of peacefully reintegrating the South into the Union. By bringing death to a tyrant, he unwittingly brought 40 years of subjugation to the South and division to the country...I don't think we disagree. I think his act was noble and honorable in a time of war. What I meant by sacrificing his honor was that he knew, if the confederacy lost, he would be portrayed in government schoolbooks as a villain - and he was correct.