The Second Inaugural Address of Lincoln Saturday, March 4, 1865 President Lincoln?s purpose for delivering the Second Inaugural address ? this formal ceremony marks the beginning of his second term presidency. President Lincoln had two major items in his agenda. One, the slavery (Emancipation Proclamation - Thirteenth Amendment) as a central issue of the Civil War (He viewed the Civil War as a punishment from God for the national exploitation of colored slaves); and he also kept in mind the Nation and possible reunification and reconciliation between the North and the South (Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction).