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The power of words has rarely been given a more compelling demonstration than in the Gettysburg Address. President Abraham Lincoln was asked to memorialize the gruesome battle. Instead he gave the whole nation "a new birth of freedom" in the space of a mere 272 words. His entire life and previous training and his deep political experience went into this, his revolutionary masterpiece.
It was 145 years (seven score and five years) ago this very day when Lincoln delivered, what is considered to be, the most famous speech in the history of the United States of America. It was delivered at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated the Confederates in this decisive battle.
In the summer of 1863 that small southern Pennsylvania town changed forever. Of the more than 2,000 land engagements of the Civil War, Gettysburg ranks supreme. On July 1- 3, 1863, more men actually fought and died than in any other battle before or since on American soil.
As this country braces itself to engage in a much different, but ever as important kind of battle, we once again find ourselves being tested on whether this nation can survive, and overcome, a power hungry and aggressive faction of government, with Divine Providence.
And so … to President Elect Obama, to Speaker of the House Pelosi, and to Senate Majority Leader Reid … let Lincoln’s words be heard, by you, and then by one and all, throughout this land:
“ 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 and 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 was 145 years (seven score and five years) ago this very day when Lincoln delivered, what is considered to be, the most famous speech in the history of the United States of America. It was delivered at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated the Confederates in this decisive battle.
In the summer of 1863 that small southern Pennsylvania town changed forever. Of the more than 2,000 land engagements of the Civil War, Gettysburg ranks supreme. On July 1- 3, 1863, more men actually fought and died than in any other battle before or since on American soil.
As this country braces itself to engage in a much different, but ever as important kind of battle, we once again find ourselves being tested on whether this nation can survive, and overcome, a power hungry and aggressive faction of government, with Divine Providence.
And so … to President Elect Obama, to Speaker of the House Pelosi, and to Senate Majority Leader Reid … let Lincoln’s words be heard, by you, and then by one and all, throughout this land:
“ 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 and 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."
4 comments:
AMEN!
Hi Jimmy,
Off topic! I have a question I would like to ask you. Can you contact me at kathleen_stephens-hawke at hotmail dot com I swear I'm not a spammer.
Wow - wonderfully written
How dare they compare Obama to Abraham Lincoln! Lincoln would be rolling over in his grave to be compared to the 'ideals' that Obama espouses and intends to inflict upon the free people of America. He (Obama) has repeatedly trashed the Constitution and says it needs to be completely re-worked or abolished altogether and replaced with more 'progressive' language. He has expressed his utter contempt and disdain for our brave service members and devout people who believe in, and actually worship, God. Obama, the liberal Democrat, has absolutely NOTHING in common with Republican Abraham Lincoln except their stature and Obama's historically recent residence in Illinois. A pox on Obama's house!
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