LAD #14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, he begins his first major topic of slavery. Lincoln believes that he has no right to interfere with it and that the states have the right to to do whatever they want to do. The states have the right and other states cannot interfere according to the Constitution. Also, the fugitive slave law should be enforced to all the states because it is stated in the Constitution. Lincoln goes on to talk about the disunity of the nation. "But if destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity." Lincoln's intentions are in the right direction because he wants to execute the current laws and not have states avoid them. Lincoln comes in to a tough time period because the sectionalism is high, but Lincoln intends to not use force to persuade actions. It is truly up to the people to decide whether war comes or not he promises to "preserve, protect, and defend it." Lincoln's main objection is to preserve unity within the country and keep everyone together, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies"