The Gettysburg Address
by Abraham Lincoln (excerpt)
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.
What argument about the role of Northern civilians is President Abraham Lincoln making in this excerpt from the Gettysburg Address?
A. He suggests that only participation of civilians through enlistment in the army can ensure victory
B. He suggests that civilians should contribute to the war effort through monetary means
C. He suggests that civilians can properly honor the dead only by building memorials to them.
D. He suggests that civilians can honor the dead only by honoring and helping their families.
E. He suggests that civilians can honor the dead only by honoring and supporting the ideals that they died for
Answer (1)
In this excerpt, Lincoln argues that to honor the soldiers who died at Gettysburg, civilians must uphold and support the ideals of liberty and democracy they fought for. He emphasizes that actions reflecting this dedication are the true homage to the fallen. Lincoln reinforces that the legacy of the dead is best honored through a commitment to ensuring that the nation remains a government of the people. ;
