Paul Cooney
AP American
Mr. DeCarlo
15 November 2006

LAD 12- First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

Delivered March 4, 1861, Lincoln addressed the nation, but really addressed the South. The entire speech was directed to the situation in the South, primarily regarding slavery, the hot topic of the time. He stated that the Federal government would support the Fugitive Slave Law to the greatest extent possible, a law which required citizens to return a run-away slave, and not to house or aid that slave. Lincoln then vowed to "preserve, protect, and defend the United States Constitution," which would be fully enforced in every state of the union. He also said that unless necessary, he would not invade the South unless his Presidential obligation required him to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the federal government. Again, to re-assure the South, Lincoln said that he was in full support of Corwin amendment which protected slavery in states where it already existed. To close the slavery issue, he said that nowhere in the Constitution did it specifically say what was to be done regarding slavery in the territories, and finally that the post service would continue.