Lincoln's Moral Speech In The Civil War

Much like any inaugural speech or any speech at that matter, Lincoln speaks with dignity, respect, and hopefulness. Lincoln sees a bright future for him and his fellow countrymen after a peace is found within the nation. Hopefully those who will come after will experience the peace as well. He speaks of the “progress of our arms” and how “reasonably satisfactory” they will be to everyone who is affected. Lincoln’s says that even though the Civil War was the center of attention exactly four years ago, it still is. However, the Civil War could not be avoided and was necessary to the flourish of the nation all together, both the North and the South. Lincoln speaks to both parties of the civil war. His speech is not directed towards only one …show more content…
No party could have anticipated the war that would tear them apart. The blame is pressed upon God. In a nation where almost everything revolves around religion, who dare be angry with God if the war was his intent, his purpose, his lesson? He describes both parties, one would “make” or create war “rather than let the nation survive” and one would “accept war” in place of letting the nation “perish”, and then the war came. The cause of the war was the “slaves” who “constituted and peculiar and powerful interest”. Everyone knew that this somehow and someway was the cause of this great war between two parties of a great nation. “Each looked for an easier triumph” which was less astounding in perspective. The “Almighty has this own purposes” those which the people cannot predict or control. A “woe” was pressed upon the nation because of the offense of colored slavery”. And after the “woe” had ended, Lincoln could have taken the credit as to why the war had ceased to occur. He could have become arrogant, wanting more power, wanting more respect, and more credibility. However, he doesn’t let anyone take the credit for getting the nation out of a big rut. He says “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether”. Leaving the blame and the credit as so. No one needs take the blame for the war, no one needs take the credit for the ending of the war. God’s judgments are all that matters