"In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war... You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors...I shall have the most solemn [oath] to 'preserve, protect, and defend [the Union]'."

Question

What is his message to the secessionists? Select the two correct responses.

Answer 1

The message to the secessionists in the excerpt is as follows:

1. Responsibility for Conflict: The speaker emphasizes that the decision to engage in civil war rests with the secessionists, asserting that they are the aggressors if conflict arises. This suggests that the secessionists have the power to choose peace or violence.

2. Commitment to the Union: The speaker's reference to the solemn oath to "preserve, protect, and defend [the Union]" reflects a strong commitment to maintaining the integrity of the nation and indicates a resolve to oppose the secessionist movement. This underscores the determination to uphold the Union in the face of division.

These points convey a message of accountability for the actions of the secessionists and reaffirm the speaker's dedication to preserving the United States.