Beginning of Essay
When people are asked to identify which president they feel had the greatest impact on our history, Lincoln's name consistently comes up. But why? Lincoln had little formal education and did not serve in public office but for brief periods prior to becoming pres ....

Middle of Essay
.... no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the United States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." He then warned that he did not recognize the secession from the union of the southern states: "...no State, upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the union...resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void...acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary....I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws, the Union is unbroken, and to th ....