The first inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln was delivered in the Capital on March 4, 1861. In his first address as the newly elected sixteenth president in our nation's history, Lincoln's primary concern was to alleviate the growing tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. In particular, Lincoln choose to plainly state his (initial) position that he would take on the issue of slavery as president, in which he spoke on non-interference with the institution of slavery in the States where it existed, the return of escaped slaves to their rightful owners upon demand, and the preservation of the Union.
1. What is the author arguing?
What Abraham Lincoln is arguing, at this early stage of his presidency, is that he feels that he has no legal right as president to disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the institution of slavery in the states of the Union in which slavery is legal. He is also stating that there are already laws in place that address the issue of the returning of escaped slaves to their respective owners, and he as the top executive of government will abide by and enforce such laws. Both of Lincoln's arguments are in essence tactful ways of informing both factions of the North and South that his primary duty as president is to preserve the Union at all costs, despite what his personal and/or moral misgivings on the issue of slavery may be.
2. How does the author appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos?
Being a former lawyer, Lincoln immediately appeals to the logic of his inaugural address by stating his interpretation of being a congressional president ( a president that strictly adheres to the powers granted by the Constitution due the Executive branch of government). What this means is that Lincoln's interpretation of the Constitution specifically prohibits any direct interference or changing of Constitutional laws that already exist by the executive (presidential) branch, only the Legislative branch (Congress) has the power to do so. As president, Lincoln can only enforce laws that are already in place. Thus, Lincoln is stating that the issue of whether or not he will attempt to end slavery has already been settled by the existing laws of the Constitution. Later in his inaugural address, Lincoln would add both ethos and pathos to his argument, or pledge rather, to not interfere with the institution of slavery in slave states. Ethos in that he continually cites his consistent past record of not interfering with the already established laws that govern the issue of slavery. Pathos in that he ends is inaugural address by reminding all in attendance, both Northern and Southerners, that "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection..." In other words, that if the looming Civil War is to be averted, then both North and South must remain unified as Americans.
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance of this document shows that Lincoln initially wanted to keep the Union in tact and avert a inescapable Civil War by pledging to uphold that era's status quo and defend the South's rights to own and practice slavery. History shows that despite his most earnest efforts, he would ultimately have to make the most difficult decision ever made by a U.S. president and break his pledge by freeing all slaves, which would lead to a Civil War.
4. Do you find the author's argument convincing?
I have read this document on several occasions in the past and each time I still get a sense of awe at Lincoln's mastery of delivering such a powerful message. I truly feel as though Lincoln knew how dire the nation's future prospects of going to war with itself were. I can only imagine just how long he took to write this address and how carefully he had to word it. One wrong phrase or misunderstanding could have ignited a war at any moment. I am completely convinced that Lincoln, at the time his initial address was given, would have done anything to delay, or prevent the Civil War from happening and that he hoped that both the North and the South would hold of arms during his term as president.
I really liked that Abraham Lincoln decided to keep the laws that are already stated in tact. He could have came into office and changed things around if he wanted to but he felt strong about leaving things the way they were. In a way though, he does have legal right to change anything he wants because he is the president. No matter how early it is in his term he should do whatever he feels is necessary to better his country.
ReplyDeleteReading your answer to number two I did not realize that he had to abide by the laws that were already in place. I thought the president could use veto power and change things to the way he wants. Knowing that, it is true that he really has no choice in the matter of slavery because in a way, the problem has already been "solved."
Abraham Lincoln was in a tough spot when it came down to his decision of what to do. I feel that he did the right thing by keeping all the laws in tact and not coming into his term and causing chaos by immediately turning around this whole slavery problem. Regardless of how Lincoln personally felt about slavery, he chose to do what would benefit the country most and I feel that was to keep things the way they were (at least for awhile.) To free all the slaves would be shocking to the world and Lincoln knew that.
I also, have read this document before for other classes and such. I feel Lincoln made a mature decision and he is a true man. Lincoln did the best he could at the time to calm down the matter of the Civil War. Lincoln did not want the Civil War to happen but there is only so much he can prevent.