LINCOLN'S SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

March 4, 1865

WHEN Lincoln approached the beginning of his second term the long struggle was nearly concluded. If, however, the end had not been in sight, the Union government could hardy have continued the contest. Blood and treasure had been poured out until the North was almost exhausted. Although the rebellious forces of the South were nearly subdued, the future of the Union was dark.

The President's policies had, at last, gained the almost unanimous support of the North. One by one his enemies and traducers had been silenced; but Lincoln had no thought of exultation over his triumph. On the occasion of his second inauguration, with a devout and chastened spirit, he recognized the sincerity of the South, the righteousness of the cause of the North, and the authority of the Almighty to sit in judgment over both. His solemn words are often likened to the more lofty portions of the Old Testament. No greater speech was ever spoken. So contrite was his spirit, that many readers seem to find his words inspired with a prophetic realization of his impending doom.

SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Then

FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN: At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.

The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hopes for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it; all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war-seeking to dissolve the Union and divide the effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came. One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.

To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war, while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.

Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself, should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph and a result less fundamental and astounding.

Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.

It may seem strange that any man should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing his bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged.

The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.

"Woe unto the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh."

If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offences, which in the providence of God must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those Divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn

with the lash shall be paid with another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said, The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

66

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphans; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Compare the length and scope of this speech with that of other presidential inaugural addresses.

Did Lincoln do well to use biblical diction in this state paper? What was the emotional effect of Lincoln's showing in this speech that his work was merged with his religion?

Did the President in your opinion correctly state the cause of the war?

Did President Lincoln's address lose effectiveness in any degree because he failed to predict success for the Union armies?

What sentiments expressed by Lincoln in this speech finally convinced the Confederacy that the North had determined to prosecute the war vigorously to the end?

What attitude toward his enemies is shown by Lincoln in this speech?

How is the character of Lincoln reflected in his confidences, hopes, and aims?

To what sentiments and motives does Lincoln appeal?

Did Lincoln in this speech establish a precedent in the history of democratic government for toleration of opponents' views and respect for differing opinion, or can you point to similar sentiments expressed previously by some other orator?

THE NEW SOUTH

December 21, 1886

THE close of the war left the South impoverished and almost hopeless. Roads, bridges, and buildings were destroyed; and the land was desòlated. The disbanded Confederate soldiers had to begin life over again without resources and often without health. Four million freedmen who owned no property were scattered throughout the country where few were able to employ them.

Improvement came very slowly. The former slaves lacked the training that would make them industrious. They were inclined to live in idleness. In bitter opposition to the will of the North, the Southern legislatures passed laws that tended to keep the negroes in a state of subjection and prevented the exercise of their newly gained rights. In retaliation Congress declined to receive the representatives and senators elected by the states that had seceded. Northern carpetbaggers and unprincipled adventurers attempted to gain political control in the South or deliver authority into the hands of the negroes. So slowly was progress made toward reconstruction and reconciliation that it was not until 1872 that Congress granted a fairly complete general amnesty to those who had fought for the Confederacy. Indeed not until many years later were the last remaining disabilities removed.

Chief among those who during this critical period were instrumental in producing a better understand