Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address had anecdotes referencing to the American constitution in which he argued for the abolition of slavery in a manner consistent with the sentiments on the matter at the time, while still thinking progressively. The first thing about which he made an opinion was the freedoms of the individual states to decide upon themselves how best to deal with their domestic issues. He would not interfere, either as an individual or as the occupant of the office of the presidency. Although he did say that he did not find anything wrong with slaves proclaiming their freedom and live with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the American constitution. Lincoln argued that “a free man not be surrendered as a slave.” The implication of these words was that no other human being would, in his opinion, have the right to enslave another, as the constitution guarantees that all men and women are equal. Through such remarks and more, Abraham Lincoln helped stunt the continuation of slavery in the US, leading to its eventual end.
The manner in which to treat others is heavily dependent on whether or not they are civilized or care about fellow human beings. Abraham Lincoln posed, “… ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and human jurisprudence to be introduced, so that a free man be not […] surrendered as a slave?”. He was subtly criticizing American leaders and citizens about the need to care for other human beings to the point where caring for them should come naturally. One can also surmise that Lincoln thought of all human beings as equal in his reference to the people. He stated in a subtle comment that “… the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with his eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, and yours of the South, that truth and justice will prevail…” Lincoln believed that the universe judged the people of the north and south equally, and sought to treat them so. In opposing slavery, Lincoln argued that the time was nigh for the US to move past the beliefs that slavery was appropriate for society at the time.
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The unified states are stronger than any individual state. Their unity underlies their very existence. Lincoln may have been subtly referring to slavery when he posed “if the destruction of the Union by one or a part of any of the states [is] lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect…”. If one state made a decision about a particular issue that opposes all others, irrespective of whether or not it was controversial, then the bind that holds them together becomes weaker. The President further opined that “the central idea of secession is anarchy”. He considered it preposterous that a minority would feel it had the power to control the majority. He was alluding to the bid by some states, such as California, to make their decisions without considering the whole. Lincoln’ reference to the strong bond of the states to form the Union was intentionally directed at slaveowners, who continued to disregard the rights of slaves to become free men and women, and implied that they too should be equal.
In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address touched on a number of pertinent issues. Part of this is slavery, which he is credited to have abolished. His speech provides indications of the plans he had to ensure all men and women were indeed equal, as is provided for in the constitution. The President made reference to the unity of the whole country as being more important than the conglomeration of states. No, state, therefore, would make individual decisions that were against the federal government. As a result of the efforts Lincoln put in place in the course of his presidency, as well as speeches such as his inaugural address, slavery was abolished during his tenure.
