Whats the purpose of this nation? Why are we here? Why is our existence and success as a nation based on freedom important, and why should we not be the worlds policeman or go down the road of socialism or fascism on the left, or anarchism on the extreme right? In 1865 the great Charles Sumner said this speech was more important than even the battle it commemorated. It took the world by storm, and is still considered by many to be the best English language speech, as well as succinctly stating our nations purpose: 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 battle-field 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. — The Gettysburg Address, given by President Abraham Lincoln ( R ), 150 years ago today.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 04:01:51 +0000