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| Lincoln's Gettysburg Address |
| 2017-08-19 |
| [AbrahamLincolnOnline] It is often good to reflect on the wisdom of the past. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is one of those documents that was heartfelt but succinct by the another POTUS. Today, we might see partisans bicker about whether or not the speech was enough. Is presented but here once again. I hope that it has not taken up too much time or space. Lincoln gave his famous speech at Gettysburg in 1863. The speech was aimed at a healing of a nation. The speech was 272 words and said nothing about whether the dead wore the blue or the gray. He recognized their contribution and ultimate sacrifice for what they believed. One can argue about the righteousness of the cause for which they fought but that was not Lincoln's purpose; his intent was to heal a nation badly injured by a hard fought Civil War. Gettysburg became a monument to those who "gave the last full measure of devotion." The address and the monument that followed was to honor the dead at Gettysburg on both sides. It is a speech calling for unity and healing and not division and hatred. We are at another crossroads. Do we want to give in to stupidity and division or to unity and respect for each other? It is a time for tolerance and not a time to besmirch the symbols of the past. You can associate the symbols of the past with hatred in your mind if you choose, but remember there are others who associate these symbols with the love for lost relatives and their bravery and sacrifice. These symbols commemorate the men and women who were often brothers, sisters, wives, and husbands. Some were fathers and mothers; perhaps to children who would never again know them. For some, these hallowed places today are places to go to remember and to honor those who were dear to them. For many it is a part of their personal family history. These places are similar to the Vietnam Memorial today--a place to remember, reflect and to heal the wounds of an important part of the past. Bliss Copy Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln November 19, 1863 |
| Posted by:JohnQC |