Existing comment:
July 4, 1861:
Defining the War:
On July 4, 1861, Lincoln sent a special message to Congress. It was the first in a series of presidential letters, speeches, and other public communications, all designed to influence public opinion and maintain support for the war.
He began be defining the conflict itself. "On the side of the Union is a struggle for maintaining in the world that form and substance of government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of man -- to lift artificial weights from all shoulders... to afford all an unfettered start, and a fair chance in the race of life."
A War over States Rights:
Lincoln's message to Congress made it clear that the purpose of the war was to uphold the Union and democratic government. Lincoln remained silent on the issue of slavery, not wanting to alienate border states like Kentucky and Missouri. But how much longer could he remain silent? |