I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so.
With regard to the tariffs, which of course you simply dismiss as being unimportant, he said,
The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and impost but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasionno using force against or among the people anywhere.
One writer said, "It became clear that slavery was tolerable. Failure to collect revenues was not."
Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality, shall be so great and so 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. While the strict legal right may exist in the government to enforce the exercise of these offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating, and so nearly impracticable with all, that I deem it better to forego, for the time, the uses of such offices...The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all parts of the Union. So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense of perfect security which is most favorable to calm thought and reflection. 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 will be 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."
Judges and the mail were just as important. The whole tone of the message is that things should go on as they had been going on for decades in the hopes that a peaceful solution could be found. But he was wasting his breath, wasn't he? A peaceful solution wasn't what Davis wanted, was it? As we found out a little over a month later.
Yeah, so what? No one is denying Lincoln's main issue was Union.
A lot of water went under the bridge though. After blacks were enlisted to fight under Old Glory, Lincoln began to clear the way for equal rights for them.
Walt
The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and impost but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasionno using force against or among the people anywhere.
Yeah. Collecting tariffs was the one sure way to show federal power in action. Holding on to Fort Sumter was a fig leaf for Lincoln. As long as the national power was not openly contravened, he was willing to bide his time. Jefferson Davis knew time was not on -his- side, so he had Fort Sumter attacked once it was obvious Lincoln was not going to back down.
Walt
It's not exactly rocket science, Pea Brain -- can I call you Pea Brain, you being such a brain and all...
Slavery was legal, interfering with the revenue was insurrection or revolution, according to circumstances.
Walt