The nation had been at war with itself for almost four years. Four long years, and the end was finally in sight. The atmosphere at the inauguration, it is said, was joyous.
In Washington DC, the weather had been rainy, and Pennsylvania Avenue was described as a "sea of mud". But, it is said, the sun broke through the clouds as the inauguration commenced. The crowd's size was estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000 people.
This is the speech that Lincoln gave that day. It isn't quite as short as the Gettysburg Address, one of the shortest (and well remembered) speeches in United States history. This speech, instead, is mostly remembered for its last line, and for the deep religious belief it expressed.
Imagine yourself hearing this speech at the end of almost four years of terrible war, the cliche of brother against brother that was not a cliche. "With malice towards none, with charity for all...."
Lincoln would be assassinated some five weeks later.
Fellow-Countrymen:
At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured. | |
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came. | |
One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not
distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part
of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All
knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen,
perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the
insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government
claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement
of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration
which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause
of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself
should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less
fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the
same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem
strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in
wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us
judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be
answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His
own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs
be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh."
If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses
which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having
continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that
He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to
those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure
from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always
ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this
mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it
continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and
fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of
blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword,
as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." | |
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. |
Thank you for sharing this - as a Canadian, I don't know a lot about those times, but am always interested in learning more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I'll respond that Canadian history is seriously under taught in the United States - at least, when I was growing up.
DeleteSo sad that Lincoln was assassinated! I am sure it was much like it is today, with so many from the south against him at that time. Sentiments can get so high. I have to skip all the posts about Obama because otherwise I become discouraged by the negativity. But I love your focus! I don't remember that last line but I'm going to copy it and use it to motivate me. This part especially encourages me: "With malice toward none, with charity for all ... let us strive on to finish the work we are in ... " Thanks, Alana!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Lincoln was a deeply religious man and his speeches reflect that. He was an excellent writer, too.
DeleteIsn't it funny how some words stand the test of time so truly?
ReplyDeleteMany of Lincoln's words, indeed, have withstood the test of time. It's also amazing to note that Lincoln wrote his own speeches, and wrote them with great care.
DeleteIt's never good news to hear such horrible things. But thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThe story of man and womankind is full of brutality - but also the most inspiring of happenings.
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