“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.”
- 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.
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this famous line from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, he passionately affirms the sacrifice made by those who died in the Civil War, vowing that their deaths will not be in vain. Lincoln declares a “new birth of freedom”, signifying a renewal of the nation’s commitment to the principles of liberty and equality for all. By invoking the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” Lincoln reaffirms the core principles of American democracy, highlighting the importance of popular sovereignty and the belief that the government exists to serve the interests of its citizens, not the other way around. This line is a powerful call for national reconciliation and a pledge to uphold the ideals of the Union, even in the face of the brutal Civil War.
Historically, this quote was spoken at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The battle of Gettysburg had been one of the bloodiest and most pivotal moments of the Civil War, and Lincoln was addressing a nation deeply torn by conflict. His words serve as both a memorial to the fallen and a call to action for the living to continue the struggle for a more perfect union. The phrase “under God” was added in recognition of the spiritual underpinnings of the nation’s commitment to freedom, suggesting that the war was not only a political struggle but also a moral one. Lincoln’s resolve that the Union must endure and that the government must remain rooted in the will of the people speaks to the democratic ideals that formed the foundation of the United States.
In modern times, this quote remains a cornerstone of American national identity. The phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” has become synonymous with the ideals of democracy and self-government, and is often invoked in discussions about the preservation of democratic institutions. Lincoln’s statement also serves as a reminder that the sacrifices of previous generations should inspire future ones to continue defending the values of freedom and justice. The quote speaks not only to the enduring legacy of the American revolutionary spirit, but also to the ongoing responsibility of citizens to ensure that their government remains truly representative, inclusive, and committed to the principles of equality and human dignity.
