It was on this day in 1863 that perhaps the most important speech in U. S. history was delivered at the dedication of a cemetery at the site of a battlefield
As we here remain involved in the activities of a democracy, advocating for our political beliefs in a nation that is seriously divided, now not on region or the issue of slavery, but on ideology and the legitimate functions of government, perhaps we would be well advised to take the time to stop and consider the words Lincoln offered in that notable speech.
There are five different versions of the speech available. Perhaps the most powerful experience of the speech is to read it in the presence of the magnificent statue of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French in the Memorial to our 16th President here in our nation's Capital.
It is that version I will offer below the fold, in its entirety, after I offer a few reflections on parts of the text.
I am of a generation where it was common to require us to memorize this text. It was one of a handful of documents from American History that had that requirement - including the Preamble to the Constitution, perhaps a part of the Declaration, and in my education the text of the First Amendment. It is interesting that this speech of only a few hundred words was granted such elevated status. We should remember that for Lincoln the important thing about the Civil War was that he was dedicated to saving the Union.
Yes, by November of 1863 the Civil War was officially about slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation having gone into effect in January of that year. Tat was a document issued after Lee's first foray into the North had been turned back at Antietam. Lincoln's speech was on the occasion of the dedication of a battlefield where Lee's second attempt had been turned back. Either of those forays could have resulted in the permanent severing of the nation, had Lee been successful. We could perhaps have seen the intervention of foreign powers after Antietam. Or without Gettysburg (an accidental site, as Lee had his sights set on Harrisburg) we might have seen the war drag on further than it did.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. - when I consider these words and apply them to our own time, it provides me with an appropriate standard for reflection. Yes, I am concerned with those who still advocate nullification and possible secession. Yes I worry about those who express frustration and a willingness to abandon our now 222 year old Constitutional government. Certainly I am concerned about the increasing references by some to the use of violent force if their political vision is stymied. But that is NOT YET at the level of violence that was the context in which Lincoln spoke.
Still - whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure - Even after 111 Congresses, we cannot be sure that we have a definitive answer to the question Lincoln posed. We might not be engaged in the conflict of armed military forces, but we also have no guarantee that our liberal democracy will continue unless we remain vigilant, and committed to its continuation.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - Lincoln recognized that the work of creating the American Republic was far from completed. In his day the slaves still had to be freed. In later times we began the process of more fully including women. We still have not overcome our sin of racism. We have issues today of xenophobia, homophobia, religious hatred - we are far from a perfect society.
And yet - Lincoln believed that a more perfect union was still achievable. His words consider this nation as having a responsibility to be a model for the entire world.
He acknowledged the cost already paid - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - even as he offered us the words of a commitment to which we all should ascribe - 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.
It takes only a couple of minutes to read the speech aloud. These are words that should be heard.
I teach government. All six of my classes will hear these words today. It will be how I begin my class. I can think of nothing more important for them to hear this day.
Lincoln's words still represent a hope not yet achieved, one which I still hold dear, one which should bind us together in a common purpose.
He offered them in the midst of turmoil far worse than our own.
Perhaps we can, as we read them, remember how perilous those times were, and not ourselves abandon hope?
Peace.
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 cannot dedicate—we 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.