Douglas v Lincoln paragraph

Abraham's Lincoln is more compelling than Douglas's due to two main reasons. Addressing the argument rather than simply shooting down his opponent. On page 157 Lincoln has an entire section dedicated to "the real issue" which is how people consider slavery to be wrong or right. Where as Douglas spends all of his time bashing his opponent's views. Douglas even says " Lincoln's three errors". Secondly, Lincoln's honesty and the way he writes convinces the reader that he is trustworthy. Lincoln states, "That is the issue that will continue in this country when these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent". This sense of the issue is bigger than the two of the debaters makes Lincoln seem more level headed and trustworthy. 

SOAPTONE: Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural address.

SOAPTONE Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

Abraham Lincoln

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He was raised as a poor man and became a self taught lawyer. Eventually he challenged Senator Douglas to a debate duel and lost the senate but won his chance at presidency in his famous Lecompton declaration. He opposed the mexican American war and maintained during his first election that the Civil war was not fought to free slaves, but rather to preserve the union. Also, his face is on the penny. 

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

This public speech shows Lincoln's reasoning for the civil war (if it came to that). It does not show his advisors reasoning or the abolitionists whom believe that the war was fought over slavery.

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

The source is reliable to represent how desperately Lincoln wished to keep the Union together, but because it is a public speech does not recognize his own personal feelings of slavery. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

March 4, 1861

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

This decision was in the middle of many important historical times that dealt with the issue of slavery such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. It was during a time of high tensions between the North and South and states, in fact, seve had already seceded. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for popular sovereignty which directly went against the Missouri compromise of 1820. 

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is directly addressing the American population, specifically the south. 

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is a public speech. 

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Because this is a public speech and not a private letter we do not know exactly what Abraham Lincoln's personal opinions on slavery were. 

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

This document was written to address the south. It stated that the South could not secede because of two main reasons. The first, they joined into a union together and they must separate together. Also, because there are no geographical boundaries it is impossible to separate from one another. The document also is informing the south or warning the south that there will be no blood shed unless the south is the first to commit the crime. Furthermore, Lincoln will always uphold the constitution and nowhere in the constitution does it say that slavery is illegal. 

What is the document saying?

See above. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is pacifying. He is attempting to hold together the union, but admits that if the nation goes towards civil war he will not tolerate disunion.