Question

Read Abraham Lincoln's Letter to fellow Republican James T. Hale. In this letter, President Lincoln suggests a compromise with the South’s demands to keep the Union from falling apart. Confidential. Hon. J. T. Hale Springfield, Ill. Jan'y. 11th 1861. My dear Sir—Yours of the 6th is received. I answer it only because I fear you would misconstrue my silence. What is our present condition? We have just carried an election on principles fairly stated to the people. Now we are told in advance, the government shall be broken up, unless we surrender to those we have beaten, before we take the offices. In this they are either attempting to play upon us, or they are in dead earnest. Either way, if we surrender, it is the end of us, and of the government. They will repeat the experiment upon us ad libitum. A year will not pass, till we shall have to take Cuba as a condition upon which they will stay in the Union. They now have the Constitution, under which we have lived over seventy years, and acts of Congress of their own framing, with no prospect of their being changed; and they can never have a more shallow pretext for breaking up the government, or extorting a compromise, than now. There is, in my judgment, but one compromise which would really settle the slavery question, and that would be a prohibition against acquiring any more territory. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN. Which words best describe Abraham Lincoln's tone in the letter?

A.)nervous and insecure
B.)bold but concerned
C.)optimistic but timid
D.)resigned and dejected

Answer 1

The correct answer is "B".

President Lincoln reflects his concern with the words "I answer it only because I fear you would misconstrue my silence.", as this reflects that he is truly preoccupied with the matter, as he considers it of great importance.

On the other hand, the phrase "and they can never have a more shallow pretext for breaking up the government or extorting a compromise, than now." reflects the boldness by which President Lincoln tries to make his position clear to James T. Hale towards a potential secession.

Answer 2

I would go with B because he sounded very bold and proud but at the same time he sounded concerned about what is going to happen.