Mineral rights owners usually exercise their rights to extract oil and natural gas. If you own real estate, you need to understand the concept of mineral rights and how their ownership can impact your property. The website Geology notes that the United States is one of few countries that allow private individuals to own minerals rights.
Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery and politically opposed to any expansion of it. On October 16, 1854, in his  Peoria Speech , Lincoln declared his opposition to slavery, which he repeated in his route to presidency.
Lincoln was fully aware of the irony, but he did not want to antagonize the slave states loyal to the Union by setting their slaves free. The proclamation allowed black soldiers to fight for the Union -- soldiers that were desperately needed. It also tied the issue of slavery directly to the war.