The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

battlefield 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. II is
altogether fitting and proper that we should
do this. But in larger sense we cannot
dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot
hallow this ground. The brave men, living
and dead. who struggled here have conse-
Grated it far above our poor power to add
long remember what we say here, but IT
can never forget what they did here. 1t is
to tor t hs u un9 Work which they Who
fought here have thus far so nobly ad-
vanced. 1t is rather for us to be here dedi-
Gated to the great task remaining before
us-that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion 10 that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devo-
these dead shall not have dis1 in vain:
, that this Nation. under God snail have
of the people. by the people, for the people
shall not perish from the earth.
Edward Everett at Gettysburg, in an
Grafton of consummate art, but of two
hours in length. told no more than Lincoln.
in simple unaffected language, told in
two minutes. One was an orator. the
any other than Abraham Lincoln was there
to speak TO the world of the great work
which he. as commander-in-chief of the
Union army and navy. was attempting to
achievei With high sense OF responsible
ty. with a sense of the magnitude and grav-
ity of the struggle. he used the sacrifices of
the dead 10 enforce the higher duties OF the
living. Like the sweet music of a minister
bell, wooing from the selfishness of am
bition to the dedication Of all that we are
and all that we have to service. do the tones
of Abraham Lincoln's voice ring through
the chamber OF our fancy the Inspiring mes
sage. 1t is for us. the living, rather to be
dedicated TO the unfinished work which they
who fought here have thus far so nobly ad-
vanced. 1t is rather for Us TO be here ded-
icated 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 Ma
ton, under God, shall have a new birth of
freedom. and that government OF the peo-
pie. by the people shall not perish from the
earth
Again. in his second inaugural address
he said. in part: The Almighty has hi,
own purposes. Woe unto the world be-
cause Of offenses. for IL must needs be tina :
offenses come; but woe to that man by
whom the offense cometh." IL we shall sup
pose that American slavery Is one OF these
offenses which. in tie providence of God
must needs come, but which, having con-
| tinued through His appointed time He now
! wills to remove. and that He gives TO both
North ana 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 living God always ascribe TO Him?
Fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray
that this mighty scourge OF war shall speed
| continue until ell the wealth piled by
/ the bondmans two hundred and fifty
years OF unrequited toll shall be sunk. and
until every drop OF blood drawn with the
| the sword. was said three thousand
! years ago. so still IL must be said. The
judgments Of the Lord are true and right