LAD #14

Lincoln begins his inaugural address by stating that he speaks to the nation as a whole when he says he promises to preserve the union at all costs. With that being said, he turns to the South and tells them that he neither wants to or plans on getting involved when it comes to slavery. In his promise to preserve the stability of the union, he vows that he will do whatever it takes to live up to his word and protect the Constitution--even if it means a war must be fought in the process. Lincoln continues to assure them that he intends to protect the states that approved slavery and vows to enforce the Fugitive Act. He concludes his speech by announcing to the nation that he hopes the North and South will be able to peacefully coexist without conflict.