Excerpt from Message to the Congress in Special Session, July 4, 1861 by Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln gave this speech to Congress to gain support and funding for the Civil War after Southern states had withdrawn from the Union.

Lest there be some uneasiness in the minds of candid men, as to what is to be the course of the government, towards the Southern States, after the rebellion shall have been suppressed, the Executive deems it proper to say, it will be his purpose then, as ever, to be guided by the Constitution, and the laws; and that he probably will have no different understanding of the powers, and duties of the Federal government, relatively to the rights of the States, and the people, under the Constitution, than that expressed in the inaugural address.

Read the excerpt. Then choose the correct way to complete the sentence. The purpose of this excerpt is to.
A: Attack those who represent the southern states.
B. Explain that no one can tell what the future will hold.
C. Explain why he launched military action in the south.
D. Address the concerns of a distrustful audience.