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Rhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln

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Abraham Lincoln was one of the best precedents America has seen to this day. While in office he had to deal with a feuding country and an unstable government. The major event that was at risk during his first inauguration was the Civil War. May people argued about the cause of the Civil War and how they viewed this breathtaking tragedy that struck the United States of America. There were two main causes that were being tossed around that may have lead up to the fighting between the Union and the Confederate. Slavery and State rights were not something taken lightly in this day and age. Abraham Lincoln had his views on this matter as well. In the first Inaugural speech President Abraham Lincoln spoke, he lectured on the urgent need to stay together and not become enemies. He said, " We are nor enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may be strained it must not break our bonds of affection." ( “Inaugural Address of the Presidents of the United States. 1989.” Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989 , www.bartleby.com/124/pres31.html.) He was urging the two sides to see past their differences like family and friends would do. He also stated his stance on how he as a president will deal with the matter of slavery, witch was the main cause of the United Stated devision; "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". ( “Inaugural Address of the Presidents of the United States. 1989.” Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989 , www.bartleby.com/124/pres31.html. ) In this statement he is wanting to get across the idea of state rights. no where in the constitution does it was the government must mack decisions on this subject, and that is exactly what Lincoln makes clear later in his speech. Trying to keep the fire from spreading of the North and South rage, he makes it clear that congress has no say in the matter by speaking, "Should forgiveness from labor be surrendered by national or by state authority? The Constitution does not expressly say. May Congress

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