LAD #14

 





Lincoln's First Inaugural Address was clearly a message to the Southern states threating to secede from the Union. In this speech, Lincoln assured these states that, though he was a Republican, he would not push an abolitionist agenda. Instead, he declared that he would abide strictly by the terms established by the Constitution. Slavery would not be abolished in the states where it already existed. Fugitive slaves would be returned to their masters. Lincoln emphasized that his platform had always been one in support of the states' rights delegated by the Constitution. However, Lincoln also declared that talk of cession would not be tolerated. He went so far as to deem cession unconstitutional and further emphasized the importance of preserving the Union. Lincoln also warned that the idea of cession would not end if the Southern states ceded. Minorities would continue to rise up in the ceded sections and, following the example set by the first cession, threaten to cede as well. Lincoln also reminded his constituents that no provision or protection dictated by the Constitution had ever been infringed on by the Federal Government. He closed the speech by touching on an amendment that had passed through Congress declaring that the Federal Government would not interfere with the domestic duties of states. He said that he would not oppose this legislation and called again for the union of all states.