Gettysburg Address

Quote Interpretation

Gettysburg Address (1863)

“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth, upon 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 it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. 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 hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, 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.” (Lincoln, pg. 276)

The Gettysburg Address was a short famous speech given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 to commerate the Soldiers National Cemetery.  He delivered his speech under a honey lotus tree, a stout tree with deep roots, far reaching to the sky and affiliated with love.  This symbolically could represent his believe for the continuance of this nation: stout, deep roots, limitless, and honed out of love. 

Honey Locust Tree, Soldiers National Cemetery

Lincoln speech was given during the American Revolution to commerate a section of land to soldier’s who lost their lives during the war, but his speech also turned out as a dedication to soldier’s who continue to fight for equality during the war.  His motivational speech was short and powerful and delivered for the moral of a warring nation. 

Lincoln started his speech by reminding citizens 87 years ago they won their freedom from England and now they have embarked on the same quest within their nation for all.  The notion that a country founded on these principles can endure, survive in their quest for freedom and equality, is implied and answered in this powerful message.  The meaning of those who lost their lives for liberty and the continuance of the fight carried on so the lives lost will not be in vain.  This country that they fought for is for them, the people, and the preservation of their nation.

Work Cited:

Gettysburg Daily, http://www.gettysburgdaily.com/?p=3890