LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins by assuring the south that there is no reason for apprehension and that the liberties of the southern states are not in danger with his coming of office.  He then states that he has no intentions of abolishing slavery because such would be a violation of states rights.  The principals of the constitution will continued to be used to make government decisions during the Lincoln administration.  He goes on to mention that he knows he will face perils in the next four years due to the tension that threatens the union.  Acts of violence by any state will be regarded as revolutionary and no state can lawfully get out of the union.  Lincoln states that he will use his power "to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts."  But other than that, he will not use force against the people. Throughout the address, Lincoln stresses the importance of unity and how it has held the nation together since the creation of the constitution.  The states, he says, must act to benefit one another.  Finally, he ends by saying "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies."