LAD # 12 First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln begins his address by first stating that the property, peace, and security of no section are to be in any way endangered by the incoming Administration. He says that state’s rights are critical to have a balance of power. Lincoln also states that the constitution will be used to protect the states. He goes on to say that slaves should be returned to their owners when they escape. Furthermore, he says that everyone should follow the laws of the constitution because he will enforce them and he doesn’t want people to try and get them declared unconstitutional. He then reflects upon the past saying that the union has been together longer than just when the constitution was written. He says that the union has been formed since the Articles of Association 1774. He then says that the union would be less than perfect if it was separated. Lincoln says that he will use the power granted by the constitution to execute the laws to uphold the union in all states. He says that the declared purpose of the union is that it will constitutionally defend and uphold itself. He moves on to say that there needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none unless it is forced upon the national authority. He goes on defending the constitution and he states “a majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people.” He then says that any questions over the constitution can be decided by the Supreme Court. Next he states that the slavery issue between the north and the south cannot separate the union. He also says that the amending process can be used to make changes to the constitution, when the people grow weary of the government. He concludes his address by saying that the south and the north are not enemies, they are friends.