Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address

Lincoln makes every attempt to soothe the fears of the South assuring them that he has no
designs to end slavery where it currently resides. He makes it clear that the Southern states
property, personal security, and peace are not endangered (Lincoln). He also asserts that
there has never been any reasonable cause for apprehensive (Lincoln). It should be noted that
the Republicans never questioned the Southern States right of slavery but only questioned the
spread of slavery. They largely believed the constitution supported the legality of slavery. He
directly states that he has no purpose, directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of
slavery in the states where it exists (Lincoln). This suggests that he might have a desire to
prevent the spread of slavery as it is not explicitly mentioned. He goes on to say that he has no
lawful right to do so and no inclination to do so as well (Lincoln). Lincoln in fact cites the
constitution which protects their right of slavery. He reiterates his sentiments that the property
(meaning slaves) as well as their personal security and peace are not in danger (Lincoln).
This might not have been accepted by Southerners considering he once said that A house
divided against itself cannot stand and that he believed that a government cannot endure,
permanently half slave and half free(American Stories 324). This was a radical position to take
on slavery during the Senate race in 1858; even though Lincoln was considered a moderate and
does not address this in his speech it would still be ever present.
Lincoln then shifts his tone and mentions the controversy about the Fugitive Slave Law.
He says it is plainly written in the constitution and that Congress swear their support to the
whole constitution (Lincoln). The only issue is whether it should be carried out by national or
state authority. He brings up the issue of safeguards of liberty and that measures should be
taken so that a freeman will not be surrendered as a slave which is also protected by the
constitution (Lincoln). He thus takes a clear position and challenges the Fugitive Slave Law that
was enacted that forced any person to turn in any slave even if it went against their principles and
would allow a free person to be put into slavery on the word of another(Green Video: The
Election of 1860 : Crash Course US History #18 ). His opinion considering the Dred Scott case
would be well known to his audience. He once expressed the opinion that the Kansas-Nebraska
Act and the Dred Scott decision were evidence of a plot to extend and nationalize
slavery(American Stories 324).
Even though Lincoln does not say explicitly that slavery should not be expanded to the
territories in his inaugural speech, it is clear that is his directive. Lincoln fought to stop the
expansion of slavery into the territories in his early political career (Lecture Ch. 14). Lincoln
took a moral stand against slavery during his bid for election in Illinois (American Stories 324).
Lincoln expressed the belief that the only security against the triumph of slavery and the slave
power was moral opposition to human bondage (American Stories 325). In his inaugural
address he makes the point that the constitution does not expressly say whether fugitives should
be surrendered by national or by state authority, if congress can prohibit slavery in the territories,
and if congress must protect slavery in the territories. He uses rhetorical questions to make his
point subtly but it is evident from his past speeches that he would curb the spread of slavery in
the territories, he does not support the Fugitive Slave Law enacted in congress or the Dredd Scott
ruling. His election would mean that the majority opinion does not support the spread of slavery.
He once argued that the founders had restricted slavery and considered slavery an evil that

needed to be contained (American Stories 325). It is logical that this would be the position he
would take.
Furthermore, Lincoln makes the point that the union cannot be divided and that he will
protect the union at all costs. Lincoln states that the Union of these States is perpetual and the
Union will endure forever, it being impossible to destroy (Lincoln). He minces no words
when he says that No State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union and
that it is rather an act of insurrection (Lincoln). He asserts that the Union will constitutionally
defend and maintain itself (Lincoln). He emphasizes there is no need for bloodshed or
violence unless it be forced upon the national authority (Lincoln). He contends that there
will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere (Lincoln). He
ends his address by saying we are not enemies but friends and we must not be enemies
(Lincoln). He does not war but will not stand for the destruction of the Union.
Works Cited:
"The Avalon Project: First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln." The Avalon
Project: First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 July 2016
Brands, H. W. American Stories: A History of the United States. New York:
Pearson Longman, 2009. Print.
Crashcourse. "The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion: Crash Course US
History #18." YouTube. YouTube, 13 June 2013. Web. 26 July 2016.