Davis vs. Lincoln

When you read Jefferson Davis's inaugural address and then Lincoln's inaugural address, what, in your opinion, was each man trying to do? What was their message?" Who was their audience? What were their motivations?

Comments

[Albert]

First of all, Jefferson Davis was in favor towards the confederate states. He addressed the gentlemen of the confederate states, of which are the confederate congress, the confederate farmers and the confederate people. As a newly chosen president for the south, President Jefferson Davis wanted to created a “whole” new nation of American -He probably would have called it Confederate America-. He agreed that the south states are patriot and have separated from the union-the Northern states; and will continue to grow as a part nation in high hopes of the north blending in the south’s constitutions and than being one whole new nation under a deity… It sounds like to me that President Davis wants to make his own US Confederate Constitution and to rule the whole country under his sly rules. By which he will be in power to become more like a monarch and that sounds different from what our founding fathers wanted. -But I would never know how it would presently be since the south lost their success, peace, and prosperity to the north…

President Abraham Lincoln talks to the Union: The people. I think that Pres. Lincoln favors the north and the supports original US Constitution that our founding fathers have made. Lincoln will enforce the laws or will reprove them if anyone or state tries to brake them. Than he talks about the Union. All 13+ states are and will lawfully always be Union, and that it lawfully can not get out. If a states tries to then it is revolutionary or a menace to society… President Lincoln simply states he will enforce the laws if any states tries to be a menace. All the states are Union by law and President Lincoln will preserve, protect and defend it against any tyranny who opposes the original US Constitution. -Lincoln sounds more like a wise ruler than an arrogant monarch, because Lincoln is ruling by the US Constitution and his discretion. He sounds more down to earth who wants peace among the Union and prosperity to further our country. -All in all, I would def vote for Lincoln.

[Christopher Dahanayake]

Both men are talking to the people in the south who are unclear weather or not to leave the union. Lincoln is saying that he won’t take away the slaves but would not expand it. Lincoln wants the south to know that they should not leave the union, instead just join it without a fight. He wanted them to surrender, even though the Confederacy had already won at Bull Run.
As the president of the confederate America, he argues that separating from the union is "Necessity, not a choice. He believed that northerners should not try to change southern lifestyle. Nonetheless Davis wanted a peaceful transition but "appeal to arms" must be the last solution.

[Ingrid Le Blanc]

In Lincoln and Davis address the message is for the common people of the United States. Both men were reminding people of their rights and freedoms and how important it was to defend them. I think both presidents were passionable about defending their beliefs. I could see that Lincoln wanted to preserve the Union and Davis wanted to preserve the southern way of life. Both felt that they were doing the right thing so they saw themselves as the peaceful side and they saw each other as the agressor.

[Maura on Lincoln v Davis....]

Both Lincoln and Davis were speaking to the people of the south that had yet to secede from the Union and both were reaffirming that neither wanted to interfere with the rights and liberties of each individuals. Lincoln was against the war he thought this would cause great disruption against the country. On the other hand Davis was willing to go to war over the seperation if things did not go smoothly. This was all a contribution of excitement because of the new establishment of the Confederacy. Lincoln on his inaugural speech assured the people that he had, no direct or indirectly purpose to interfere with the institution of slavery in the territories where it already existed but wanted to emancipated the slaves. Both men addressed in their inaugural speeches the principles in which the Union was build starting with the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. In opinion Licolon had the more powerful speech of the both.

[Marina Solomon]

Both inagural speeches by President Lincoln and Davis had a powerful, direct message to the citizens of America. Eventhough the contents were different, yet, they were potitive.

I believe, President Davis's speech was directed to the the congressmen and the people who helped out with the war. Because, his speech was prepared to commemorate the people and to point toward the seceding state's future and supporting their cause. Whereas, President Lincoln spoke wanted to avoid war, hoped for peace among the nation and outside. Also, Lincoln's big mark, he wanted the liberation of black slaves, and introded the end of racism. His address in D.C, was and still is regarded as perhaps the best in American presidential history.

[Teresa Miller]

Most likely, President Abraham Lincoln wanted to appeal to southern secessionists that were in favor of leaving the United States as a consequence of the most recent election. He was addressing members of Congress along with the local constituents from Virginia and Maryland. President Lincoln was trying to hold the nation together, and he made it very clear that he would use his authority as president to keep the nation together. He was prepared to defend and protect the U.S. Constitution. Southerners would view this as a declaration of war and the Northerners would deem his remarks as peace-making effort.
President Jefferson Davis was holding a victory rally for the newly established Confederate States of America. I believe his audience represented state legislators and the local constituent from Alabama. He wanted to defend their recent succession from the Union. President Davis clearly defined his purpose of creating a new federal government that would “ensure domestic tranquility”. He referenced the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the revolutionary war in his address. He believed that they were written, and that they fought a war to preserve States rights. The appeal for foreign assistance was evident in his speech. He wanted to maintain foreign trade relationships. Without the revenue from the sale of cotton, the south would not survive. Then his final pitch was for the benefit of the local constituent to “invoke the God of our fathers to guide and protect” as they embark on the challenges ahead of them. Southerners were very patriotic, very religious, and wanted very much so to defend southern honor and tradition. President Davis offered a venue to do so.

[Karen]

I think both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were speaking mostly to the people in the Upper South states that had not yet seceded from the Union - Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. (I don't think there were many questions about Delaware leaving the Union). I think both presidents were making their most compelling arguments to the people and the legislators in these states in an attempt to convince them to stay (or leave) the Union. These states had the most to loose from a Civil War since they were "border states", slavery was legal, and their populations were more evenly divided on secession issues than the Deep South or the traditional Northern states. Both Presidents were appealing to their revolutionary heritage, to freedom, to patriotism, and to the Constitutionality of their motives and actions.

I think Jefferson Davis was "playing" to an additional audience - Western Europe: he is defending the Confederacy's actions and presenting a rational case for France and Britain to "recognize" the C.S.A. and ensure future trading relationships.