Going Separate WaysGoing Separate Ways

Comparing the Inaugural Addresses of Inaugural Addresses of Abraham Lincoln & Jefferson DavisAbraham Lincoln & Jefferson Davis

Inaugural Address of Jefferson Davis DavisFebruary 18, 1861February 18, 1861

LincolnLincoln’s First Inaugural AddressMarch 4, 1861March 4, 1861

• “I have no purposeno purpose, directly or indirectly to interfere with to interfere with the institution of slavery slavery in the States where in the States where it existsit exists”

LincolnLincoln’s First Inaugural AddressEqualityEquality

Inaugural Address of Jefferson DavisDavisLiberty/EqualityLiberty/Equality

• “…They (the Confederate States) formed a new alliance, but within each State its government has remained; so that the the rights of person and property have rights of person and property have not been disturbednot been disturbed.”

• • “Through many years of controversy with our late associates of the Northern States, we have vainly endeavored to secure tranquility and obtain respect tranquility and obtain respect for the rights to which we were for the rights to which we were entitledentitled.”

• • “It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look around upon a people people united in heartunited in heart, where one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates the whole; where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the balance against honor and right and liberty and equality.”

LincolnLincoln’s First Inaugural AddressUnionUnion

• “ The union of these states union of these states if perpetualperpetual” (permanent)

• “One section of the country One section of the country believes that slavery is believes that slavery is right right and ought to be extended, while the other , while the other believes it is wrong believes it is wrong and ought not to be extended. This is the onlyThis is the only substantial disputedispute.”

• “Physically speaking we Physically speaking we cannot separatecannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other.”

LincolnLincoln’s First Inaugural AddressUnionUnion

• “We are not We are not enemies, but enemies, but friendsfriends. We must not be enemies.”

• “Though passion may passion may have strained, have strained, it must not it must not break our break our bonds bonds of affection.”

Inaugural Address of Jefferson Davis DavisUnionUnion

• Davis explains that breaking from the breaking from the Union wasUnion was

“a necessity, not a a necessity, not a choicechoice” and that “…a a reunionreunion with the States from which we have separated is is neither practicable neither practicable nor desirablenor desirable.”

LincolnLincoln’s First Inaugural AddressGovernmentGovernment

• “In your handsIn your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and and not in mine, is the not in mine, is the momentous issue issue of civil warof civil war.”

• “The government will not assail you. You can have no You can have no conflict, without conflict, without beingbeing yourselves the aggressorsthe aggressors

Inaugural Address of Jefferson DavisDavisGovernmentGovernment

• “. . . the American idea that governments rest on the consent governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or right of the people to alter or abolish them abolish them at will whenever they whenever they become destructive become destructive of the ends for which they were established.”

• “As a consequence of our new condition and relations, and with a vicar to meet anticipated wants, it will be necessary to provide for the necessary to provide for the speedy and efficient organization speedy and efficient organization of branches of the Executive of branches of the Executive department department having special charge of foreign [trade], finance, military affairs, and the postal service.”