LAD #14

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln starts by saying that he doesn't believe it's necessary to address matters that are not urgent at the time.  So, he goes right into assuring the south that there is no reason to feel their security is endangered.  He has no interest in interfering with slavery in the south because he does not believe he has the right to do so.  States have control over their own domestic policies and that must be maintained to maintain a balance of power.  He reiterates that with the new Administration does not plan to take that power away from any states and also will protect each state with the same respect no matter what their policies may be.  Any slaves that may escape will be returned to their rightful place as stated in the Constitution.  There may be controversy over whether the state or federal government should enforce it but either way it will be enforced.  Lincoln as he enters office has no intention of twisting the constitution and he believes everyone else shouldn't either.  This is a particularly difficult time to be President but if he follows the constitution, he believes the Union will prevail.  However, if this Union could be destroyed lawfully by one or more states then the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution.  No state on it's own can lawfully leave the Union.  Lincoln believes the Union is unbroken and that the laws of the Union must be followed in every state.  Fighting or violence is not necessary unless it is forced upon national authority.  Lincoln is not speaking to those who want to destroy the Union but instead those who truly love the Union.  All constitutional rights have been maintained and will continue to be maintained.  If a minority were to secede, they would destroy themselves and any part of that confederacy may secede yet again.  Secession is the essence of anarchy as unanimity is impossible so the will of a minority is being enforced.  Lincoln does remember that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court and their decisions must be obeyed.  Slavery is the only true issue and a break in the Union would make both sides of the argument unhappy.  The country will never be able to separate in a physical sense as there can be no wall built between us.  The US belongs to its citizens and when they are unhappy with something, they have the right to amend or ever overthrow in revolution.  He explains that his duty as president is to look over the government that is given to him by his predecessor.  Those who are frustrated are frustrating themselves by taking time as none of their constitutional rights have been impaired.  The future of the Union is in the hands of its citizens, who are in all respects friends, not enemies.