Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln was reassuring and conciliatory toward the South on the issue of slavery but firm and inflexible concerning the perpetuity of the Union in his first inaugural address.
Step-by-step explanation:
In his first inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln was reassuring and conciliatory toward the South on the issue of slavery but firm and inflexible concerning the perpetuity of the Union. His primary concern was the cohesion of the Union and bringing the Southern states back into the fold. Lincoln's plan was to offer leniency and reunite the country, but his proposal faced opposition from Radical Republicans who wanted harsh terms for the defeated Confederacy and protection for formerly enslaved people.
Learn more about Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address