The author, Abraham Lincoln, is arguing for a few things in his first address. The most important thing he is fighting for is the Unity of the States. He believes that secession will make things harder and not easier in the future for the South, and that it is impossible to secede because the States cannot physically separate from eachother. He discusses slavery and fugitive slave laws from a legal point of view, constantly referring to the Constitution and he points out that slavery is not clearly defined or regulated in the Constitution. His goal was to walk the fine line between the North and South, while indicating to the South that even though is a Republican President he is not trying to forcibly eradicate slavery in the current slaveholding states. President Lincoln let both sides know that it is easier to work together as friends than to make peace as enemies, and that since the Constitution isn’t clear it could be amended.
President Lincoln’s greateast appeal was through logos and ethos, to me pathos was clearly not as strong. In his speech he used ethos in the beginning, stating that he was a Republican president but that didn’t mean Southern property was in danger. He also requited himself saying, “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” He wanted to portray himself as a bi-partisan ready for peace and negotiation not war. He confirms his character again by saying his job is clearly to work towards preservation of the Union , “You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, and defend it.” Through these he tries to show himself as a caring, trustworthy, honest man.
His logical arguments were apparent throughout his entire speech. There are many examples regarding the argument against secession. Here is one where he used the geography of the Union, “We can not remove our respective sections from each other nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and wife may be divorced and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other, but the different parts of our country can not do this. They can not but remain face to face, and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them.” Another example of his logical brilliance is when he discusses secession and the constitution. He states that the South wants to seceded because they believe their constitutional rights have not been upheld but he continues to point out that the Constitution does not clearly address slavery. He also uses the legal aspects of a contract to show that secession is legally invalid.
Though I believe pathos was not as strong as his ethos and logos, it was still apparent. His conclusion was clearly directed at an emotional and patriotic audience. In Lincoln’s argument against secession he argues that relying on Christianity and god will lead them in the right direction, and that the “Almighty Ruler of Nations” will pick a side and that side will be victorious.
This Document is very important. It is Abraham Lincoln’s first address to the Nation as president during a time when he received zero Electoral College votes from the South. At this time eight states had already seceded and civil war seemed imminent. In this speech Lincoln was trying to hold the Union together without enraging either side because the country was very fragile at that point.
I do find Lincoln’s arguments very convincing. I am a very logical person and all of his arguments appealed to the logical side of people, so they won me over. It does not make sense to fight your neighbors as enemies when you can make peace as friends. His speech must not have been very effective though, seeing as by April the war had already broken out.
