Book 9 || Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln Book 9 || Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln Book 9 || Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1861, was a plea for unity as the nation faced the imminent threat of Civil War. At the time of Lincoln’s inauguration, several Southern states had already seceded from the Union, and tensions were running high. In his speech, Lincoln sought to reassure the Southern states that he had no intention of abolishing slavery where it already existed, but he firmly rejected the legality of secession, declaring that the Union must be preserved. Lincoln appealed to the common bonds shared by all Americans, emphasizing the importance of democracy, the rule of law, and the principles upon...