LAD #19

• Lincoln begins his speech by saying that his second inaugural address will be relatively short compared to his first, nor does he have to lay out a course of action for the country this time around. He reminds us that 4 years ago, the Union was being threatened by the potential secession of the South, and when they eventually did secede the Civil War started. However, he does not offer a prediction as to how the end of the war will play out. He also cites the issue of slavery as a main cause of the war, and the north will continue to try and contain it. He finishes by saying that the war is taking longer than anyone could have predicted, and it is God's will that is keeping it going.