LAD #14 - Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln delivering his first inaugural address

In his first inaugural address, Lincoln does not discuss any matters or administration, believing it to be unnecessary. He reassures the South that he has no intent to abolish slavery, believing it's not within his rights to do so. He points out the part of the Constitution that was essentially a fugitive slave law, saying they did not have to worry - the promise made in the Constitution would be kept. The Constitution also binds the states together, so the country cannot legally be divided; if all of the states do not agree on dissolving the union, no part of it can be dissolved. Any resistance from the South on this matter would be met by force. Mail would continue to be delivered to all parts of the country "unless repelled."

Also, although the Constitution doesn't answer the question of whether slavery will be allowed or not, as no law can define provisions applicable to every situation, it will be decided by a majority - the Supreme Court.

One part of the country is against slavery, and one is for it, but the two parts cannot separate. He asks why they are not confident in "the ultimate justice of the people," and he advises them to think long and hard about what they want to do. He assures that the government will not attack them, but if they become aggressive, they have to respond.

He closes by expressing his wish that the government and the people will never become enemies.