The Selection of Lincoln

By February first, eighteen-sixty-one, seven southern states had withdrawn from the United States of America. They created their own independent nation, the Confederate States of America. The south seceded because a Republican, Abraham Lincoln, had been elected president. Southerners believed Lincoln would support a constitutional ban on slavery. They were afraid their way of live was about to end.

President-elect Lincoln traveled by train from his home in Illinois to Washington, D.C. Along the way, he stopped to make speeches. As he got closer to Washington, he was warned that a mob was planning to attack the train. He had o continue his trip in secret.

Lincoln arrived in Washington nine days before his inauguration. It was a busy time. He talked with many people, including delegates to a peace convention. Every state was represented at the convention, except the states that had seceded. The delegates urged Lincoln to support slavery. They urged him not to go to war over the issue.

Lincoln said only that he would faithfully execute the duties of President of all the United States. He said he would protect and defend the American Constitution. While Lincoln waited for inauguration day, he chose the members of his cabinet. He wanted men representing all opposing groups in the Republican Party. He hoped this would unite the party and give him support in the difficult years ahead.

Lincoln chose William Seward as Secretary of State. Salmon chase as Treasury Secretary. Gideon Welles as Navy Secretary, and Montgomery Blair as Postmaster General.

Seward did not like Chas, Welles, or Blair. He told Lincoln that he could not serve in the cabinet with them. He said they would never be able to work together. Lincoln answered that he would be happy to make Seward Ambassador to Britain, instead of Secretary of State. Seward gave up the argument and agreed to join the cabinet.

The inaugural ceremony took place outside the Capitol building. Lincoln was to give his inaugural speech before being sworn-in.

 

                       4.林肯的选举

     到1861年2月1日,南方的七个州脱离美利坚合众国.他们创建了自己独立的国家----美国南部邦联.南方正式脱离美国是由于共和党成员---亚伯拉罕.林肯----被选为总统.南方统治者认为林肯将会通过立宪废除奴隶制度.他们担心他们的生活方式将就此终结.

总统当选人林肯从他伊利诺伊州的家中乘火车去华盛顿.一路上,他不断地停下来作演讲.当快到华盛顿的时候,有人提醒他说一群暴徒正计划袭击这列火车.他余下的行程不得不秘密进行.

林肯在就职日前九天到达华盛顿.这是一段忙碌的时期.他和许多人交谈.其中包括来参加一个和平大会的代表们.除了已经脱离美国的那些州.其余每个州在这个大会上都有代表.代表们力劝林肯支持奴隶制度.不要因为这个问题开战..

林肯之说,他将切实地履行美国总统的所有职责.他说,他将保护和捍卫美国宪法.在等待就职日期间,林肯挑选了内阁成员.他要这些人能代表共和党中所有的反对团体.他希望这将团结整个政党,并且在以后的困难年代可以给予他支持.

林肯选威廉.斯沃的作国务卿,萨蒙.查斯作为财政部长基地恩..威尔士作为海军部长,蒙克马利,布莱尔作为邮政部长.

斯沃德不喜欢查斯,威尔士和布莱尔.他告诉林肯他不能和他们一起在内阁中工作.他说,他们永远不可能一起工作.林坑回答说,他将很高兴任命斯沃德为英国大使,而不是国务卿.斯沃的最后不再争论,同意加入内阁.

就职典礼在国会大厦外举行.林肯在宣誓前作了演讲.