13e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on 23e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierthis continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated 33e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierto the proposition that all men are created equal. 43e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that 53e12c5d1SDavid du Colombiernation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long 63e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierendure. 73e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier We are met on a great battle-field of that war. 83e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final 93e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierresting place for those who here gave their lives that that 103e12c5d1SDavid du Colombiernation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that 113e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierwe should do this. 12*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombier But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not 13*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombierconsecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. 143e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have 153e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierconsecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. 163e12c5d1SDavid du ColombierThe world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, 173e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierbut it can never forget what they did here. 183e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the 193e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierunfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so 203e12c5d1SDavid du Colombiernobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to 21*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombierthe great task remaining before us — that from these honored 223e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierdead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they 23*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombiergave the last full measure of devotion — 243e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have 25*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombierdied in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new 26*de8abbc9SDavid du Colombierbirth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the 273e12c5d1SDavid du Colombierpeople, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. 283e12c5d1SDavid du Colombier 293e12c5d1SDavid du ColombierAbraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 30