Question

Which of the following describes Abraham Lincoln's attitude towards states' rights at the beginning of his first term?

Answer 1

He believed it was essential for the Union that states maintain strong, autonomous state governments. 
If the states were enfeebled, then discord would grow between them even more and people would not be fond of the federation as they would feel it was foisting unjust laws on them.  
I hope this helps, and my apologies if it somehow is incorrect.