Audio
Ranger Reflections: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Transcript
(music playing) Hello, I’m Nate, a Ranger with the National Park Service here at the National Mall and Memorial Parks.
President Abraham Lincoln is remembered not only as one of America’s greatest Presidents, but also one of America’s greatest Presidential speech writers. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is his most famous and recognizable speech but his two inaugural addresses delivered in 1861 and 1865 are marvels of persuasion and poetry. At its core, Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address is a please to prevent war. Lincoln was elected in 1860 and the reaction of the nation was swift and tragic. Southern states began to secceed, removing themselves from the Union and forming the confederate states of America. By March 4th 1861, when the First Inaugural was delivered, the rebellion was in motion and the Civil War seemed invetible. Lincoln, a plain spoken man from IL, attempted to argue against separation and war and plea for peace and unity. The majority of the speech is a legal and constitutional lesson, trying to set southern fears to rest and logically explain the President’s stance on the issues of slavery and seccession. The words of the last paragraph however, have become some of Lincoln’s most heavily quoted. This conclusion, suggested by Secretary of State William Seward, blends emotions and memories to try to steer a course of peace. “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Unfortunately, Lincoln’s eloquent words fell on deaf ears and stubborn hearts and the Civil War followed; four terrible years of death and destruction, four years of tragedy and pain. Over 620,000 Americans died during the Civil War and every life lost laid heavily on President Lincoln. But while he was compassionate and forgiving, Abraham Lincoln was also strong and resolute in his commitment to preserving the Union.
Description
Listen to Ranger Nate offer some brief reflections on Lincoln's First Inaugural Address.
Duration
2 minutes, 7 seconds
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