U.S. Federal Government Recognizing the

U.S. Federal Government Recognizing the end of the American Civil War, then President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address (1865), talking about the social and political divide that is the South and the North, factions that support and oppose black slavery, respectively. In his inaugural address, Lincoln expresses his hope for a united America -- hope because of the still apparent divide and continued prevalence of the slavery system in the country even in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Instead of condemning or supporting slavery, Lincoln left his audience thinking about slavery by simply leaving "judgment to the Lord." Two years after his inaugural address, abolitionist movement leader Frederick Douglass called "for including the negro in the body politic." This demand is a precursor to society's continuous struggle to achieve equality in a free country, albeit still weakened by social discrimination brought by the slavery system.

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and Douglass' Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage are just examples of the kind of politic that America was gradually developing into, especially after the American Civil War. The creation and development of federalism in the United States made it possible for states and the country, as one, created "checks and balances" that aims to respond and answer to the interests of the majority, without discounting the rights of the minority.

Indeed, one of the most important features of federalism as a form of government is that it provides the right balance between or among different socio-political groups, which are the states, in the case of the U.S. Lincoln and Douglass represent one side of the "checks and balances" component of the government: on the other side of the coin are pro-slavery groups and individuals who disagree with Lincoln's view or who opposes and disregards Douglass' appeal.

In years to come, the slavery system would be abolished and African-Americans would eventually achieved equality in their own country and with their fellow white Americans, demonstrating the 'balanced' role that the U.S. government assumed in ensuring that Americans' interests are taken into consideration without causing detriment to other groups and individuals (pro or against the slavery system). Slavery is just one aspect of America's history wherein balanced representation of socio-political views is recognized.

Under the federalist form of government, states are given the right 'proportion' of representation, wherein each state's socio-political interests are made known to other states, and through fair, legal and systematic processes, these interests are addressed and decided upon by representatives of each state, elected by U.S. citizens who entrust their rights to these.