LAD#14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In 1861 Lincoln gave his first inaugural address. He started by stetting that he doesn't want to interfere with slavery in the United States. Lincoln goes on to state that he has taken an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution" he made this very clear to the South.  Lincoln claimed that he doesn't want to use force against the south unless it was necessary, stating that if the south took up arms against the government that they will then be meet by force. Next Lincoln goes on to saying that the South is under the Constitution because they approved it. He follows this with saying that he supports protecting slavery in sates where it already exists but not in states where it doesn't exist, stating that the Fugitive Act will be enforced under his presidency. Lincoln concludes that he hopes the North and South find peace.