LAD #12: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address on Monday, March 4, 1861. He starts of by saying that he has no reason to discuss those matters of administration because he needs to discuss the matters dealing with the Southern states. His whole inaugural address was basically all directed to the south in which he discussed about mainly the issue of secession and slavery. He states that he has no purpose or inclination to rid the southern states of slavery. He says that it is up to the states to decide about slavery, not him and the federal government. He then goes on to say that he is a strong supporter of the Fugitive Slave Law which stated that No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any law or regulation therein be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. This meant that all runaway slaves must be returned to their owners. He says that he will do anything "to preserve, protect, and defend the United States Constitution.” He then states that he had no objection to the Crowin amendment to the Constitution. Then he states that mails will be continued throughout his presidency. He then goes on to talk about secession and how it is basically impossible. He states that physically the country could not separate. He states “We can not remove our respective sections from each other nor build an impassable wall between them.” He ends by saying that no matter what we are all country men and that “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.”