Lincoln introduces himself and begins his speech with a wide idea of government, the presidency, and the age-old tradition of the inaugural address. He specifically states that he will not talk about matters that are not currently pertinent. From there, he jumps directly into the sectionalism issue. The Southern States hold the belief that their rights are in danger. Lincoln assures them that this fear is unfounded and the government wishes to detract from their rights. He then quotes a prior speech of his to prove this: “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” He says that he will stand by this and similar declarations. He wishes to preserve the Federalist balance of power in the nation and protect states’ rights. His plans for the presidency are to preserve the union by securing the rights of states to their own institutions but having the Federal government play a role in the lives of the nation’s people.
Lincoln next starts with some more specific claims about slavery. He quotes the section of the Constitution that mentions the fleeing of slaves from state to state. He upholds that every member of Congress swears to every section of the Constitution, including even this controversial bit. He continues to talk about the particular clause, belays the question of whether the right to re-impress slaves is a Federal or Reserved power, and even goes into the will of the captured slave. He questions the human rights involved in the slavery system, with a very clear purpose of not offending the South.
Lincoln goes on to state his mission in office. He wishes to uphold the Constitution in all its fairness, and uphold the rights and safety of United States citizens. He humbly accepts his new position as President and praises all others before him. He again states his admiration for the Constitution. He questions the unity of the United States, referring slightly to the unsuccessful government under the Articles of Confederation. He then negates its value by saying that the union was together before the Constitution even existed, and as such the union should remain together.
He states a new type of revolution that could occur, state against state. He wishes that the bond of the union could mean more to the states than simply the bond of the state government to its people. Lincoln personally believes that his main duty is to keep harmony between the states and preserve the union as it has always been. He does not wish for this process to be violent, and he promises that there will be no violence unless it’s absolutely necessary on federal authority.
The laws of the federal government will continue to be enforced inside the union as much as the Constitution dictates. Lincoln is aware that there are people within the union who wish to see it destroyed, and to them he hopes that his message is able to get through and make them see his more sensible side. He does not believe that any true constitutional right has been denied to anyone within the union, despite all of the sectional dissent. Lincoln admits that he does not know whether the Constitution would permit slavery in territories, and that this is a question among many others that must be solved. This leads Lincoln into a description of additional constitutional controversies, which must be solved by the relenting of either the majority or the minority. This is a dire threat to the stability of the government. He asks the people if there are some who believe that no perfect union can ever be achieved.
Lincoln from there enters into a commentary on the possibility of secession. He asks if secession and anarchy have common ground. He firmly states that questions of constitutionality go to the Supreme Court and that they decide what is just and fair about the current outstanding issue. He expresses that constitutionality of laws is assured by judicial review.
He quickly jumps back into the central issue of slavery, stating the main debate between the two sides of the issue. Lincoln clearly states why secession is not an option, and compares the United States to a divorcing couple.
Lincoln reinstates the fact that government gets its power from the people that it governs, which is a constitutional principle, and swears to protect their rights and happiness within the union.
Lincoln ends his speech by encouraging all citizens or whichever state, section, or political party that they may belong to, to think about the issue and see Lincoln’s points. He states that this issue is in the hands of the citizens, not the president, and bides them to wish with him that the government and the people could remain friends and refrain from becoming enemies.
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