LAD #14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In 1861, at the brink of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln made his inaugural speech. He made it clear to the Southern states that he did not intend on outlawing slavery in any area it had already existed. For other fearful southerners, he said he was sure to protect all states rights and recreate the bond of the united nation. To protect states rights and gain support from other southerners, he said he would keep the fugitive slave act;  this would ensure any slave that ran away into another state would be forced to return to its owner.
Other than, gaining loyalty from the south, Lincoln's main message and hope was to create a united union again. Because of the age of the Union, Lincoln felt it was necessary to persevere through this hard time. He told the states that threatened succession, that their act was unconstitutional. And although never mentioned in the Constitution, he felt that the civil war, and the threat of succession would ruin American's prosperity. Lastly, Lincoln said that all American's are friends and family and he would do anything he could to keep that family bond.