Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highlighted words and phrases emphasize the foundation and principles of the nation. "Four score and seven years ago" indicates that the events being referred to happened 87 years prior to the speech. "Fathers" refers to the founding fathers who established the nation. "New nation, conceived in Liberty" highlights the birth of the nation based on the ideals of freedom. "All men are created equal" underscores the core principle of equality.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field 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. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highlighted words and phrases emphasize the context of the speech, which is taking place during a civil war. "Engaged in a great civil war" indicates the ongoing conflict that is challenging the endurance of the nation. "Dedicate" and "final resting place" highlight the purpose of the gathering, which is to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The speaker emphasizes that it is appropriate and necessary to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot 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.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highlighted words and phrases emphasize the significance of the soldiers' sacrifices and the responsibility of the living. The speaker acknowledges that the ground cannot be further dedicated or made sacred because the brave men who fought there have already done so. The focus shifts to the living, who are urged to continue the unfinished work and be dedicated to the cause for which the soldiers gave their lives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers were not in vain and expresses a strong resolve for the nation to experience a renewed sense of freedom and maintain a government that serves the people.