Here's a rewritten version of the text, suitable for an 8th grade level, with even more details:
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was deeply committed to keeping the country together and upholding the Constitution. He believed that the United States was a single nation, and that all states should be part of it. He didn't think it was okay for states to leave the Union and become their own separate countries. In his first big speech in March 1861, Lincoln said that he didn't want to start a war, but he wouldn't let the country break apart. He wanted to find a peaceful solution to the problem, but he was also willing to take strong action if necessary.
Lincoln believed that the United States was a unique experiment in democracy, and that it was important to preserve it. He thought that if one state left the Union, it would set a bad precedent for other states to follow. He also worried that if the country broke apart, it would lead to chaos and conflict. In his speech, he said that he didn't want to fight, but he wouldn't let the country fall apart. He warned that if the states that had left used violence to try to stay gone, he would stop them with force.
Lincoln's commitment to preserving the Union was rooted in his strong sense of patriotism and his belief in the importance of democracy. He believed that the United States was a special place where people could live freely and pursue their own goals. He also believed that the Constitution was a sacred document that protected individual rights and freedoms. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep the country strong and united, even if it meant going to war.
In his speech, Lincoln also appealed to the states that had left to come back and be part of the United States again. He asked them to reconsider their decision and return to their rightful place in the Union. He reminded them that they had been part of the United States for many years, and that they had a shared history and culture with the other states. He also pointed out that secession was illegal, and that they had no right to leave the Union without going through the proper channels.
Overall, Lincoln's position in the Civil War was clear: he was committed to preserving the Union and upholding the Constitution. He believed that it was important to keep the country together, even if it meant going to war. He was willing to take strong action to defend the United States, and he was confident that he could bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.