THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS VERY one should know by heart this peer less address, and should seek to appreciate its wonderful power. Lowell said of Lincoln, "He is so eminently a representative man, that, when he speaks, it seems as if the people were listening to their own thinking aloud." The address is now lettered on bronze tablets and placed in public buildings throughout the country. On the nineteenth of November, 1863, a great crowd of people had gathered on the battle-field of Gettysburg. It was the day for dedicating the Soldiers' Monument in memory of those heroic souls who, but four months before, had offered up their lives for their country. New England's most polished orator, Edward Everett, delivered the address of the day. For two hours, the eloquent Everett held the vast assemblage spellbound. Round after round of applause followed his brilliant flights of oratory. After the applause for Everett had died away, Abraham Lincoln, then president of the United States, was introduced. His tall, gaunt figure and thin voice were in striking contrast with the majestic presence and matchless eloquence of Everett. For a moment, the crowd showed signs of restlessness, then, caught by his earnestness, they became so deeply impressed that, as he took his seat, no sound of applause broke the sacred silence. When Lincoln congratulated Everett upon the oration of the day, Everett grasped Lincoln's hand and said, "Mr. President, I should flatter myself if I had come as near the central thought of this occasion in two hours as you have in two minutes." THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS Fourscore and seven years 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 restingplace for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. we But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate cannot consecrate- we cannot 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. NOTES 1. Read Mary R. S. Andrews' "The Perfect Tribute." This is the most popular piece of Lincoln fiction published. 2. Learn this address by heart. 3. Be prepared to give the meanings of the following words and expressions: conceived in liberty, dedicated, consecrate, hallow, detract, increased devotion, last full measure of devotion, new birth of freedom. EXERCISES 1. Under what circumstances was this address given? 2. How was this nation conceived and dedicated? 3. What does Lincoln regard as the central purpose of the war? 4. What is the purpose of this great gathering? 99 66 5. Explain fully the meanings of "dedicate,' 'consecrate," "hallow," as here used. 6. In what sense was the field already consecrated? 7. Explain "last full measure of devotion." 8. What unfinished work remained for the living? 9. Explain "of the people, by the people, for the people." ADDITIONAL READINGS MARY RAYMOND SHIPMAN ANDREWS: The Perfect Tribute. RILEY: The Silent Victors. CLOUGH: Say not the Struggle Naught Availeth. PAINE: The New Memorial Day. CARLETON: Cover Them Over. WHITMAN: O Captain! My Captain! SEWARD: The Irrepressible Conflict. BROOKS: Character of Abraham Lincoln. HENRY WATTERSON: Abraham Lincoln. For he who blesses most is blest; And God and man shall own his worth And, soon or late, to all that sow, The time of harvest shall be given; Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; Who sows a field, or trains a flower, -John Greenleaf Whittier. THE THREE GRACES IN ancient times the Graces were personifications of grace and beauty. and beauty. They were goddesses who added to refinement and gentleness of life. They were described for the most part as being in the service of the gods. They lent their grace and beauty to everything that deligh's and elevates. Their names were Euphrosyne,' Aglaia, and Thalia. 2 3 Edmund Spenser described the work of the Graces thus: "These three on men all gracious gifts bestow These were the Graces known in the history and mythology of the Greek people. Paul, the great teacher in early Christian times, wrote a letter to the Greeks at Corinth in which he told the Greeks of the three Christian Graces. The following extract from Paul's letter urges the Greeks to adopt the Christian Graces, Faith, Hope, and Love. From that day to this the world has regarded the thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians as one of the greatest poems on love. 1 Pronounced û-frŎs'-I-né. 3 Pronounced tha-li'a. 2 Pronounced a-gla'yȧ. |