LAD #14 Lincoln's Inaugural Address

Summary of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address:

In his address to the nation, Lincoln focused upon the daunting issue of slavery. Slavery had been forcing a divide between the North and the South which was threatening the preservation of the country. Lincoln did not choose a side in the issue but instead stressed his decision to focus on preserving the union. He constantly brings up the Constitution and talks about how there is no clear answer to the slavery debate within it. He states that he is aware that both the North and the South want to amend the Constitution and he says he is fine with it because the government is for the people. However, he stressed the dangers and urged the people to be careful in any changes to the government. The upmost concern is the unity of the nation and this dispute can not break up the nation. 

Lincoln also talks about how the Constitution does state that a person held to labor in one state is not able to shake that duty and become free by entering another state. This statement specifically referred to the fugitive slaves that escaped from the South to the North. Again, Lincoln strongly urged the  preservation of the union. He went on to say that any act of secession would be very harmful to the unity of the country and should be avoided at all costs. He concludes by saying that, “we must not be ememies,” but friends. It is crucial that the North and the South realize that the United States needs to be preserved even if the issue of slavery prevails.