Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Camille K. (United States of America)
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words only definitions & notes
  1. secede
    withdraw from an organization or polity
    If a minority in such case will secede rather than acquiesce, they make a precedent which in turn will divide and ruin them, for a minority of their own will secede from them whenever a majority refuses to be controlled by such minority.
  2. organic law
    law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
    It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination.
  3. federal office
    a department of the federal government of the United States
    Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality shall be so great and universal as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for that object.
  4. Constitution
    the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  5. perpetuity
    the property of being seemingly ceaseless
    Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments.
  6. Union
    the United States
    A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.
  7. Articles of Confederation
    a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by giving the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens
    It was further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the Articles of Confederation in 1778.
  8. impost
    money collected under a tariff
    The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.
  9. secession
    formal separation from an alliance or federation
    Is there such perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new union as to produce harmony only and prevent renewed secession?
  10. slave trade
    traffic in people who are forced into unpaid labor
    The fugitive-slave clause of the Constitution and the law for the suppression of the foreign slave trade are each as well enforced, perhaps, as any law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself.
  11. fugitive
    someone who is sought by law officers
    There is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from service or labor.
  12. inadmissible
    not deserving to be accepted or allowed
    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.
  13. constitutional
    existing as an essential characteristic
    Yet, with all this scope of precedent, I now enter upon the same task for the brief constitutional term of four years under great and peculiar difficulty.
  14. lawgiver
    a maker of laws; someone who gives a code of laws
    It is scarcely questioned that this provision was intended by those who made it for the reclaiming of what we call fugitive slaves; and the intention of the lawgiver is the law.
  15. anarchy
    a state of lawlessness and disorder
    Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy.
  16. the States
    North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
    I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that --

    I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists.
  17. precedent
    an example that is used to justify similar occurrences
    Yet, with all this scope of precedent, I now enter upon the same task for the brief constitutional term of four years under great and peculiar difficulty.
  18. guaranty
    a collateral agreement to answer for the debt of another in case that person defaults
    All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so plainly assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution that controversies never arise concerning them.
  19. confederacy
    a union of political organizations
    For instance, why may not any portion of a new confederacy a year or two hence arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede from it?
  20. ordain
    invest with ministerial or priestly authority
    And finally, in 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution was "to form a more perfect Union."
  21. citizen
    a native or naturalized member of a state
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  22. balance of power
    an equilibrium of power between nations
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment excl...
  23. administer
    supervise or be in charge of
    During that period fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens have in succession administered the executive branch of the Government.
  24. oath
    a solemn promise regarding your future acts or behavior
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  25. affirmation
    the act of asserting or stating something
    All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so plainly assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution that controversies never arise concerning them.
  26. despotism
    dominance through threat of punishment and violence
    Whoever rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy or to despotism.
  27. Constitution of the United States
    the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  28. jurisprudence
    the branch of philosophy concerned with the law
    Again: In any law upon this subject ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be introduced, so that a free man be not in any case surrendered as a slave?
  29. Declaration of Independence
    the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the Colonies from Great Britain
    It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
  30. executive branch
    part of U.S. government responsible for carrying out laws
    During that period fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens have in succession administered the executive branch of the Government.
  31. unconstitutional
    not consistent with or according to fundamental laws
    I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservations and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules; and while I do not choose now to specify particular acts of Congress as proper to be enforced, I do suggest that it will be much safer for all, both in official and private stations, to conform to and abide by all those acts which stand unrepealed than to violate any of them trusting to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional.
  32. tribunal
    an assembly to conduct judicial business
    At the same time, the candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the Government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made in ordinary litigation between parties in personal actions the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their Government into the hands of that eminent tribunal.
  33. contemplation
    a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
    I hold that in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual.
  34. immunity
    the condition in which an organism can resist disease
    And might it not be well at the same time to provide by law for the enforcement of that clause in the Constitution which guarantees that "the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States"?
  35. Independence
    a city in western Missouri
    It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
  36. foresight
    seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing
    No foresight can anticipate nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions.
  37. government
    the system or form by which a community is ruled
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  38. Nation
    United States prohibitionist who raided saloons and destroyed bottles of liquor with a hatchet (1846-1911)
    If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the south, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.
  39. administration
    the act of governing or exercising authority
    I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement.
  40. Congress
    the legislature of the United States government
    All members of Congress swear their support to the whole Constitution -- to this provision as much as to any other.
  41. reservation
    the act of setting aside for some future occasion
    I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservations and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules; and while I do not choose now to specify particular acts of Congress as proper to be enforced, I do suggest that it will be much safer for all, both in official and private stations, to conform to and abide by all those acts which stand unrepealed than to violate any of them trusting to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional.
  42. lawless
    without order or control
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment excl...
  43. Federal
    being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War
    A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.
  44. ordinance
    an authoritative rule
    It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.
  45. confederation
    the state of being allied
    It was further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the Articles of Confederation in 1778.
  46. revolutionary
    markedly new or introducing radical change
    It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.
  47. Supreme Court
    the highest federal court in the United States
    I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court, nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit as to the object of that suit, while they are also entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases by all other departments of the Government.
  48. prohibition
    the action of forbidding
    All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so plainly assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution that controversies never arise concerning them.
  49. patriot
    one who loves and defends his or her country
    The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
  50. declaration
    a statement that is emphatic and explicit
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgme...
  51. territory
    a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment excl...
  52. federal government
    a government with strong central powers
    I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution -- which amendment, however, I have not seen -- has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service.
  53. justice
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
    Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people?
  54. legal
    established by or founded upon law or official rules
    Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition that in legal contemplation the Union is perpetual confirmed by the history of the Union itself.
  55. lawful
    conformable to or allowed by a legal code
    I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.
  56. United States
    North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  57. security
    the state of being free from danger or injury
    Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered.
  58. magistrate
    a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law
    The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they have referred none upon him to fix terms for the separation of the States.
  59. civil war
    a war between factions in the same country
    In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.
  60. Court
    Australian woman tennis player who won many major championships (born in 1947)
    I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court, nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit as to the object of that suit, while they are also entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases by all other departments of the Government.
  61. executive
    a person responsible for the administration of a business
    During that period fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens have in succession administered the executive branch of the Government.
  62. interior
    inside and toward a center
    Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality shall be so great and universal as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for that object.
  63. judgment
    the act of assessing a person or situation or event
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment
  64. preserve
    keep in safety and protect from harm, loss, or destruction
    You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, and defend it."
  65. Christianity
    a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
    Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.
  66. execution
    putting a condemned person to death
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  67. union
    the state of being joined or united or linked
    Is there such perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new union as to produce harmony only and prevent renewed secession?
  68. conflict
    an open clash between two opposing groups
    You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors.
  69. mere
    being nothing more than specified
    It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.
  70. Republican
    a member of the younger of two major U.S. political parties
    Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered.
  71. President
    the person who holds the office of head of state of the United States government
    Fellow-Citizens of the United States:

    In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."
  72. revolution
    a single complete turn
    If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might in a moral point of view justify revolution; certainly would if such right were a vital one.
  73. consideration
    the process of giving careful thought to something
    I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court, nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit as to the object of that suit, while they are also entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases by all other departments of the Government.
  74. land
    the solid part of the earth's surface
    Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.
  75. crime
    an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
    Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them; and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

    Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment excl...
  76. community
    a group of people living in a particular local area
    The fugitive-slave clause of the Constitution and the law for the suppression of the foreign slave trade are each as well enforced, perhaps, as any law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself.
  77. civil
    of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
    In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.
  78. liberty
    freedom of choice
    Again: In any law upon this subject ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be introduced, so that a free man be not in any case surrendered as a slave?
  79. department
    a specialized division of a large organization
    I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court, nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit as to the object of that suit, while they are also entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases by all other departments of the Government.
  80. North
    the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
    If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the south, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.
  81. American
    of or relating to the United States of America or its people or language or culture
    Doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part, and I shall perform it so far as practicable unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means or in some authoritative manner direct the contrary.
Created on Tue Apr 12 18:33:39 EDT 2011

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