LAD/Blog #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

 
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address immediately began with the issue at hand, that of the South's threat of secession. Lincoln claimed to be unbiased, saying that he did not desire radical change for the nation, but to settle the sectional conflict diplomatically. He realized that the conflict was largely over slavery, stating that the laws behind the institution would not be changed dramatically, an attempt to pacify the South. Lincoln went on to speak of the difficulties that were ahead such as the impending threat of secession and the disunity in the nation, saying that the President would need to maintain union in the country, for without union, there would be no country to govern. Lincoln said that he would remain loyal to the Constitution, and that he believed that no rights guaranteed to the people by it have been denied. He realized that there were hardships ahead, but intended to face them with confidence and preserve the union at all costs.