Rhetorical Devices In Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins his address by establishing the distinct time in which his inauguration arrives. Lincoln, using ethos, acknowledges that “public declarations have been constantly called forth… The progress of our arms…is as well known to the public as to myself” (7-11). Lincoln establishes that he has already been transparent with the country about the progress of the war, employing the collective pronoun “our arms” and communal identifies such as the “public” (4-6). Lincoln continues to use more inclusive language as he revisits the growing factionalism of the nation during his first inaugural address: “four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dread it, all sought to avert it” (17-19). Lincoln uses

Instead, he subtly suggests the south was at fault, and by doing this he does not directly blame the people. This passive tone shows that Lincolns focus is not to blame for the war, but to show that war brought suffering of equal proportions to both north and south. In the last half of his address, Lincoln logically explains why God had not ended the war and urges his audience not to judge. He states to his audience that they should “judge not that they be not judged,” alluding to the Lord's Prayer and appealing to his audience's Christian beliefs, and pacifying his audience. Lincoln continues to appeal to his audience’s religious background and answers his statement “and the war came”, revealing that "If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come… He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came" (30-32). By associating the cause of the war as divine, Lincoln circumvents the anger and suffering the war caused on both sides, as the outcome is Gods will, and not many can be angry at