Everyone probably knows that today is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg. It is all over the news, and all over the internet.
And it is here, too. I make no apologies. (Except I do apologize to my non-USA readers – this post will be very America-centric.)
I love words, and I enjoy writing – but these words put together by Abraham Lincoln make me feel like a 1st grader who can’t decide whether to write, or eat the crayon.
Why? Because the Gettysburg Address matters. It is an incredible moment in the history of the United States that should be recognized as one of our finest moments. It deserves every bit of attention it is getting today.
Read it first:
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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 battlefield 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.
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That is it. That is the entire speech. 272 words. 10 sentences. A few minutes. Less is more. President Lincoln was not even the featured speaker at this event dedicating the Gettysburg cemetery. His words were merely the concluding “remarks” after the main event: a two-hour speech by Edward Everett.
Now I am not here to give you a history lesson, I just want to point out a few things that I noticed from my 2013 perspective. One of the things that strikes me most is what is NOT included. Restraint is a gift that goes largely unappreciated in today’s world.
• Where is the chest-thumping, and the gloating over the victories the Union army was achieving at Gettysburg and beyond?
• Where is the political posturing? The calling out of opponents? The blame? The party-line?
• Where does the President take personal credit for the turning of the tide in the Civil War?
• Where is the hatred towards the enemy?
• Where is the refusal to invoke God?
• Where are the speechwriters, focus groups and teleprompters?
• Where are the obvious applause lines?
• Where are the distortions and untruths to bolster his authority and make his case?
The simple, profound words spoken and written by Lincoln himself, show us how we have slipped as a Nation. These words are elevated.
Lincoln’s humility, depth, and vision show us what is missing in our political world today. I don’t care which side of the aisle you are on.
President Lincoln himself stated, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here…”
He was wrong about that part. Thankfully, he was wrong.
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Nice post MMM. An amazing and inspired speech. It wasn’t about Lincoln Shantel, it was about all of those who died on that battlefield. It has nothing to do with how great of a person or president he was, the speech doesn’t make him great which is how your comment comes off. He was humbled by the sacrifice of all of the soldiers, their blood that was spilled to preserve the Union. Lincoln’s speech was never meant to show what a great man he was, in fact I take offense to that thought. Rather the speech came from a great man who was humbled and trying to honor those who made the sacrifice, the dead as well as the wounded. You would do well to remember that yourself, those that died and those who are still suffering for our nation. A card board cut out of President Lincoln? Really? Interesting.
In defense of Shantel – I think the address helped show what a great man Lincoln was, and we should honor him as well – his blood, too, was shed in defense of our country.
Why in the world would you choose to take offense? Especially because someone else sees things differently than you?
I am sorry my remarks may have offended you in anyway. Let me clarify what I intended. I do love the Man, and the President Abraham Lincoln. I have spend 100’s of hours in personal and professional study in all aspects of his life.My professional background in this field is extensive. This was one comment about one event. A speech. It was in no way intended to diminish the role of the Soldiers that fought and died in the Civil War.
Yes- I do have a cardboard cut out- it has a personal story connected with the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield. Researchers have a sense of Humor. Our family loves it- and we put a Santa hat on him every Christmas.
Completely inspired! I agree. I am glad you posted on it, Thank you for doing it. And thank you for the discussion. This how researchers find what we know. I was grateful to not have the full story!
Quick email exchange between me and Lincoln friend:(totally the final word- this guy is the real deal) He made an impromptu speech like it, in Washington DC- days before. It had the same phrasing and key lines. From there he wrote the Gettysburg address at the White House.
Thanks for checking! It is brilliant no matter when he wrote it.
Thank you for the compliment. No – I don’t know as much as I want to- I look up to those people, and feel privileged to know a few. So I get alot of rarely heard information- with that said- I do have a life size cut out of him in my living room. So That might bump me up the admirer scale- in a weird way- but thats all. lol.
He used to cut up speeches on strips of paper and put them in his hat and arrange them when he got to here ever he was going. 😉 There is no link.(?)
http://www.history.com/topics/gettysburg-address
I also wanted to share this article from The Huffington Post – the original source is the Smithsonian Magazine. A new photo discovered of Lincoln at Gettysburg. Its old news now- but I thought some of your readers might find it interesting. I spent some last summer in Springfield, at the Lincoln Library doing research for a paper, and it was fun to see how excited everyone was about this find.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/new-abraham-lincoln-photo_n_3988659.html
Thanks for linking this. Very cool to make a discovery like that.
I don’t know if you know this- Lincoln did not write that address. It was impromptu. He was not at Gettysburg to speak, and had no intention of doing so. He was there to see what was happening, and he put himself at grave danger doing so. But he wanted to see what was going on the ground. He as repeatedly asked to address a gathering ground, he protested several times. He did not feel he had anything of value to say at such a scene. But the crowd insisted and he addressed them. It was off the top of his head. That is what amazes be about that address. It was genuine- it was from his soul and from God. Pure inspiration.
I read that the first half of the first draft was written at the White House on White House letterhead, and it was finished in Gettysburg. (Here is one of the sources that mentions it.) That being said, I know you know more about Lincoln than most people on the earth…
English lady here. Have often admired and felt the power of this speech. The tone that there yet remains an effectual struggle to be made, putting the emphasis for mindfulness and future progressive improvement on the living which is incredibly inspiring, even to an Old Worlder. Class act.
Thank you for a moving tribute.
Well said, wise words from a wise man, we need more like him…thanks for sharing this MMM 🙂
My little brother wrote a rap for the Gettysburg Address: http://jansenprice.com/music?song=56-Gettys. Worth a listen if you would like help memorizing it, or just to enjoy.
Great post MMM! Thankful President Lincoln and the service he gave.
I love this speech so much. Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president. Have you ever been to his presidential library and museum? It is incredible and worth the trip. Next time you find yourself in Illinois I really recommend it! I had never given thought to just how much stress he must have felt until they showed a picture of him taken before he took office and one that was taken toward the end of his presidency. It was as if he had aged 50 years in that time. You could see the physical impact that the weight of his place as president had on him. I’m so great for his sacrifice and what he did to keep this country together.
Well said, my friend. Well said.