Inaugural Speech of Abraham Lincoln Essay

Introduction

In his first inaugural speech, Abraham Lincoln expressed his need to end slavery in most parts of the United States. He declared that he was naturally against slavery. And in his own words he added that if slavery was not being in the wrong then all that they say that is wrong isn’t. Therefore he realized that the fact that he was president, he had power s conferred upon him to act and stop that shameful practice of slavery. He mentioned this both in his emancipation proclamation and in his first inauguration speech in the firs paragraph¹.

Main body

Mr. Lincoln’s inaugural speeches, showed the fact that he had a good way of understanding the general population by comprehending the things in the American relations². From his first inaugural address, in the last paragraph, he told Americans that they are not enemies, but should treat each other as friends. He also added that though their passion may have been damaged by the things that they have been through, that should not be the reason to it split them.

In addition in his second inauguration speech, he talked of what different people thought the civil way would be and its consequences. In the second paragraph, he talked of how all people dreaded the thought of the civil war³. He added that while the inauguration address was being given during his first swearing in, most Americans devoted their efforts to save the Union without a war; he described how groups of urgent agents were brought into the city with a mission of destroying the same city, to split the Union and stop the negotiation processes. Even though both sides criticized the war, one side was so determined to go to war than see things go back to normal, while the other opted to accept the war instead of having to watch the Union fall.

Abraham Lincoln was an inspirational leader who aimed at taking advantage of people’s differences to unite them rather than divide them and who wanted people to forgive each other rather than seek revenge. In his second inaugural address, while concluding his speech, he proposed that even though people were still hurting as a result of the effects of the civil war, they should endeavor to work to unify the nation by caring for those who were affected by the war such as orphans and widows. He asked the people to at their best to achieve and treasure a lasting period of peace among themselves and between them and other nations⁴.

In addition he was a selfless leader who values the needs of the people he represented rather those that would gain him. In his first inauguration address in the thirty second paragraph, he reminded the citizens that the way the government was composed and formed people required little derailment of issues and could not stand any leader who used his power for personal gains. In addition he reminded those in power that the people were still watching their actions and any act of wickedness or mischief by those in power would lead to unforgivable by the people while causing a great deal damage to the government structure.

He also said in the thirtieth paragraph of his first inaugural address that the power that the Chief Magistrate possessed came from the people⁵. Therefore he should be the person to act strictly in the basic interest of the people he represented as the people can do this in a way they preferred if they wanted to but because someone was in the position he should as he was required as if he were the people. This should be the norm even for those who come after him.

Footnotes

1. Lincoln, A. The Emancipation Speech. USA: 1863.
2. Lincoln, A. First Inaugural Address; Web.
3. Lincoln, A. Second Inaugural Address; Web.
4. Lincoln, A. Second Inaugural Address; Web.
5. Lincoln, A. First Inaugural Address; Web.