First Inaugural Address

Lincoln’s first inaugural address starts largely with an attempt to ease the minds of Southerners.  Lincoln reassures Southerners that he is not an enemy to the institution of slavery.  He points out a slave who escapes from a slave state to a free state is not automatically freed from his duties.  He is to remain a slave until his duties are fulfilled.  I think most people respected Lincoln because he refused to construe the applicable laws in order to meet his political favor.  Lincoln was successful in part because of his ability to make political calculations without seeming dishonest.  Lincoln was aware of the volatile situation that could and ultimately did arise between conflicting parties.  While most other Presidents would have lost a great deal of respect after one of the bloodiest wars in history, Lincoln is able to convey his message in a way that allowed everyone to understand the deep consideration he gave to the situation.