Chords of Memory Will Swell When Again Touched

"The mystic chords of retentivity, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this wide land, will still corking the chorus of the Union, when over again touched, as surely they will exist, by the improve angels of our nature."

by Abraham Lincoln

March 4, 1861 [Excerpts]

Anticipation seems to be among the people of the Southern States that by the accretion of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the nigh aplenty show to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. Information technology is plant in virtually all the published speeches of him who now addresses y'all. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that–

I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the establishment of slavery in united states where it exists. I believe I take no lawful correct to do so, and I have no inclination to practice so. . . .

A DISRUPTION OF THE FEDERAL Matrimony IS NOW ATTEMPTED

It is seventy-two years since the commencement inauguration of a President under our National Constitution. During that period fifteen unlike and greatly distinguished citizens accept in succession administered the executive branch of the Authorities. They accept conducted it through many perils, and generally with slap-up success. All the same, with all this scope of precedent, I now enter upon the aforementioned task for the brief constitutional term of four years under slap-up and peculiar difficulty. A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.

THE CONSTITUTION AND THE UNION: PERPETUITY IS Unsaid, IF Non EXPRESSES

I hold that in contemplation of universal police force and of the Constitution the Matrimony of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental police force of all national governments. It is safety to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic police for its own termination. Proceed to execute all the limited provisions of our National Constitution, and the Marriage volition suffer forever, it being incommunicable to destroy it except by some activeness non provided for in the instrument itself.

A CONTRACT: ALL THE PARTIES TO UNNMAKE Information technology

Again: If the United States be not a government proper, simply an association of States in the nature of contract merely, can information technology, equally a contract, exist peaceably unmade by less than all the parties who made it? One party to a contract may violate it–break information technology, then to speak–but does information technology not crave all to lawfully rescind it?

THE Matrimony IS OLDER THAN THE CONSTITUTION (WHICH WAS "TO FORM A MORE PERFECT Union")

Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition that in legal contemplation the Marriage is perpetual confirmed past the history of the Union itself. The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed, in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was matured and continued by the Proclamation of Independence in 1776. It was farther matured, and the faith of all the then 13 States expressly plighted and engaged that it should exist perpetual, by the Articles of Confederation in 1778. And finally, in 1787, i of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution was "to form a more perfect Union."

But if destruction of the Wedlock by ane or by a office only of the States be lawfully possible, the Spousal relationship is 'less' perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital chemical element of perpetuity.

'RESOLVES' AND 'ORDINANCES' TO Go OUT OF UNION ARE LEGALLY VOID

Information technology follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully exit of the Union; that 'resolves' and 'ordinances' to that result are legally void, and that acts of violence inside any State or States confronting the dominance of the The states are insurrectionary or revolutionary, co-ordinate to circumstances.

THE Declared PURPOSE OF THE UNION: THAT Information technology 'WILL' CONSTITUTIONALLY DEFEND AND MAINTAIN ITSELF

I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws the Wedlock is unbroken, and to the extent of my power, I shall take care, every bit the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all u.s.. Doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part, and I shall perform information technology so far every bit practicable unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite ways or in some authoritative manner direct the opposite. I trust this will not exist regarded as a menace, merely only every bit the declared purpose of the Wedlock that it 'will' constitutionally defend and maintain itself.

At that place Demand Exist NO BLOODSHED OR VIOLENCE

In doing this at that place needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall exist none unless information technology be forced upon the national authorisation. The power confided to me will be used to agree, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Regime and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, at that place will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere. . . .

The course here indicated will be followed unless current events and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper, and in every case and exigency my best discretion volition exist exercised, according to circumstances actually existing and with a view and a hope of a peaceful solution of the national troubles and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections.

SOME SEEK TO DESTROY THE UNION

That in that location are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the Union at all events and are glad of whatever pretext to do it I will neither affirm nor deny; merely if at that place exist such, I need address no word to them. To those, notwithstanding, who really love the Union may I not speak?

THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR NATIONAL FABRIC, WITH ITS BENEFITS, MEMORIES, HOPES

Before entering upon so grave a thing equally the destruction of our national fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, and its hopes, would it non be wise to define precisely why we do it? Will you hazard and so drastic a step while there is any possibility that any portion of the ills you fly from take no real existence? Will you, while the certain ills you fly to are greater than all the real ones yous fly from, will yous risk the commission of so fearful a mistake?

NO RIGHT Evidently WRITTEN HAS BEEN DENIED

All profess to exist content in the Union if all constitutional rights can be maintained. Is information technology true, and so, that any right plainly written in the Constitution has been denied? I think not. Happily, the human listen is so constituted that no party tin accomplish to the audacity of doing this. Think, if you can, of a single example in which a plainly written provision of the Constitution has ever been denied. If past the mere force of numbers a bulk should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, information technology might in a moral signal of view justify revolution; certainly would if such right were a vital ane. Simply such is not our case. All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are and then apparently assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution that controversies never arise concerning them. . . .

CONGRESS MAY OR MUST? THE CONSTITUTION DOES Non EXPRESSLY SAY

No foresight tin anticipate nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered past national or by Land authority? The Constitution does not expressly say. 'May' Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. 'Must' Congress protect slavery in the Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say.

WOULD A PORTION OF A NEW CONFEDERACY A YEAR OR TWO HENCE ARBITRARILY SECEDE AGAIN

From questions of this class spring all our constitutional controversies, and we split upon them into majorities and minorities. If the minority will not acquiesce, the bulk must, or the Authorities must cease. There is no other alternative, for continuing the Government is acquiescence on one side or the other. If a minority in such instance will secede rather than acquiesce, they make a precedent which in plow will divide and ruin them, for a minority of their ain will secede from them whenever a majority refuses to be controlled past such minority. For instance, why may not any portion of a new confederacy a twelvemonth or two hence arbitrarily secede over again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede from information technology? All who cherish disunion sentiments are now being educated to the exact temper of doing this.

RENEWED SUCCESSION?

Is at that place such perfect identity of interests amid united states to compose a new union as to produce harmony only and foreclose renewed secession?

THE Key IDEA OF SECESSION IS THE ESSENCE OF ANARCHY

Patently the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy. A majority held in restraint by ramble checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects information technology does of necessity fly to chaos or to despotism. Unanimity is incommunicable. The rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or despotism in some form is all that is left.

Constitutional QUESTIONS ARE TO Exist DECIDED BY THE SUPREME Court

I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided past the Supreme Court, nor exercise I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a conform equally to the object of that adapt, while they are likewise entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases past all other departments of the Government. . . .

SLAVERY: Correct, Incorrect

One section of our country believes slavery is 'right' and ought to be extended, while the other believes information technology is 'wrong' and ought not to be extended. This is the just substantial dispute. The fugitive-slave clause of the Constitution and the law for the suppression of the strange slave trade are each likewise enforced, perhaps, as any police can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself. . . .

PHYSICALLY: WE CAN Not SEPARATE, OR REMOVE, OR BUILD AN IMPASSABLE WALL

Physically speaking, we tin not separate. We can not remove our respective sections from each other nor build an impassable wall betwixt them. . . . Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced betwixt aliens than laws can among friends? Suppose you go to war, you can not fight always; and when, later on much loss on both sides and no gain on either, y'all cease fighting, the identical one-time questions, every bit to terms of intercourse, are once again upon you.

CONSTITUTIONAL Correct VERSUS REVOLUTIONARY RIGHT

This land, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall abound weary of the existing Authorities, they can exercise their 'ramble' right of amending it or their 'revolutionary' right to dismember or overthrow information technology. . . .

PRESIDENT: NO Authority TO Set TERMS FOR SEPARATION

The Master Magistrate derives all his potency from the people, and they have referred none upon him to set terms for the separation of the States. The people themselves can practice this if also they choose, just the Executive as such has null to do with it. His duty is to administer the present Government equally it came to his easily and to transmit it unimpaired by him to his successor.

PATIENT Conviction IN THE ULTIMATE JUSTICE OF THE PEOPLE

Why should there non exist a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there whatever better or equal hope in the world? In our present differences, is either party without organized religion of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the Due north, or on yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this corking tribunal of the American people. . . .

Brusque Infinite OF FOUR YEARS

While the people retain their virtue and vigilance no Assistants by any extreme of wickedness or folly can very seriously hurt the Government in the brusque space of four years.

NOTHING VALUABLE BY TAKING Fourth dimension

My countrymen, i and all, think calmly and 'well' upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable tin can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to 'bustle' any of you in hot haste to a step which you would never accept 'deliberately', that object will be frustrated by taking time; just no good object can exist frustrated by it. . . . Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never nonetheless forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.

THE MOMENTOUS ISSUE OF Ceremonious WAR

In 'your' easily, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in 'mine', is the momentous effect of ceremonious state of war. The Government will not set on 'yous'. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. 'Yous' take no oath registered in sky to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn i to "preserve, protect, and defend information technology."

THE MYSTIC CHORDS OF MEMORY WILL Bear upon THE Amend ANGELS OF OUR NATURE

I am loath to shut. We are not enemies, only friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not intermission our bonds of amore. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battleground and patriot grave to every living middle and hearthstone all over this broad land, will withal cracking the chorus of the Spousal relationship, when again touched, as surely they volition exist, by the ameliorate angels of our nature.

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Source: https://www.ff.org/abraham-lincolns-first-inaugural-address-the-better-angels-of-our-nature/

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