The correct option is this: THE POSSIBILITY OF ABIDING BY THE LAW WHILE DESTROYING THE NATION THROUGH WAR.
President Abraham Lincoln made this statement during the American civil war. As the president of the United States of America and based on the oath of office he took when he was swore in as the president, he was expected to defend and protect the american constitution. But the president was put in a dilemma during the american civil war, when it became obvious that his defending the constitution will results in destroying america through war.
The right answer for the question that is being asked and shown above is that: "The possibility of abiding by the law while destroying the nation through war" When Lincoln asks if it is possible to lose the nation, and yet preserve the Constitution, he is referring to The possibility of abiding by the law while destroying the nation through war
