“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
Quote
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Explanation
This famous line comes from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. In this speech, Lincoln sought to redefine the war as not just a fight to preserve the Union, but as a battle for the very principles upon which the United States was founded—democracy and freedom. The phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” encapsulates the core idea of self-government and popular sovereignty—the notion that the power of government derives from the consent of the governed. Lincoln’s assertion that such a government would not “perish from the Earth” was a call to action, emphasizing the importance of defending the ideals of democracy against forces that threatened to destroy it, particularly the Confederacy, which was fighting to preserve slavery.
Historically, this phrase has resonated as a statement of the enduring nature of democratic ideals. Lincoln was urging the nation to remain steadfast in its commitment to equality, liberty, and justice. His words became a rallying cry for the Union cause, symbolizing the belief that the United States represented an experiment in democracy that could not fail without destroying the hopes of liberty for all people. In modern times, the quote remains a symbol of democratic resilience, used frequently to remind us of the importance of civic participation and the preservation of democratic values.
This phrase has also found resonance beyond the Civil War, becoming a universal expression of democratic ideals in struggles for freedom worldwide. It is invoked when democratic systems are challenged, serving as a reminder of the continuous need to safeguard democratic institutions and values. Lincoln’s vision, as articulated in this line, is seen as foundational to the American identity and serves as a touchstone for those advocating for democracy, both in the U.S. and globally.
