When the country formed, it was evident that in its young history the issue of slavery would be a major point of conflict that would separate the country. This wasn't a problem at first, as it seemed like the problem would resolve itself safely. However, as the 1850s and 1860s approached, the issue appeared much more violent and intense. The 1860 election showed the segregation between North and South because Lincoln was hated enough to not be on some Southern ballots. Too many rich and powerful Southerners felt it was their duty to secede from the United States. The founding fathers realized that they could not resolve the issue if they wanted to form the country, so they left the matter to their posterity. It was a taboo issue, so many people wouldn't come out to say it, but they knew they were on the brink of war. The acts of violence and segregation were fearsome precursors to the war that many people feared, but knew was coming. The United States was formed with the idea that the issue of slavery would be resolved peacefully as the country grew. Unfortunately, as the country grew, so did the issue of slavery. Most people were grouped by region and what side they were on because that's how they saw each other and knew each other. However, in a speech by Daniel Webster in 1850 he demonstrated that great strides had been made in improving the gap between the two sides. He began by stating, "Mr. President, I wish to speak today, not as a Northerner, but as an American..." because he is trying to prove a point that they could not stand if they were labeled Northerners or Southerners. He went on to talk about how the talk of secession was crazy because the people making it were declaring that a war was the only way to get through it. The conflict would have been resolved. The 1860 election confirmed everyone's suspicions because half the country split after the election and the South was upset "to be stripped of them." From the beginning, it was clear that the country would not be formed without slavery, so it was put aside and they decided that the issue would be resolved later assuming they could resolve it peacefully because both sides would not budge. The North would not allow slavery to spread after Lincoln's election, and the South would maintain it at all costs. The war was proof that the issue was serious enough to divide one country and cause another country to form.