LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

          Lincoln starts his address with assurances to the south. He knows the south is apprehensive that he was elected into office. The liberties according to Lincoln, are not in jeopardy, southern liberties like slavery, are not in jeopardy. The abolition of slavery would not follow the principles of democracy seeing that it is a violation of states rights, according to Lincoln. Lincoln knows that perils will threaten the Union during his terms in office, but he will continue his usage of the Constitution to make decisions. The Constitution should be used in all government decisions, it is the principle force in the Union. No states can leave the Union, lawfully, and all acts of violence will be taken as if they are revolutionary. Lincoln knows the states may succeed along with his election, and therefore he says that he will do everything in power to keep the Union together. All property belonging to the government will be forced to stay in the Union by the power of the government. This is the only time that Lincoln will use this power though, he will only use it against wrongdoings, and not against the people of the United States. Unity will help the Union stay together, and without it, the Union will fail. Unity has held the nation together, since the Constitution was signed and ratified. Each state must work together to help the others, Americans should not be enemies, they cannot be enemies because it will cause disunity which could become a factor in tearing down the nation. Lincoln was afraid of secession by the southerners, and this was expressed throughout his address.

Pictured Above: President Abraham Lincoln