Abraham Lincoln

16 Pages 4063 Words

the president restated his conditions, but made clear that he would not enter serious peace talks with the Dixie as long as the Southerners were at arms with the United States. In other words, unconditional surrender was the only way to bring the war
to an end. The conference ended with no results, because the south wasn't going to give up their life style with out a fight.

On Inauguration Day, March 4, President Lincoln delivered one of the shortest inaugural addresses in U.S. history [see Appendix E], but also the most memorable. After four years of war, Lincoln did not see the need for another broad inaugural statement. "The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured." [Basler] With the end of the war seeming near, he reminded his listeners of the cause of the struggle, saying "Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war ra...