The Meaning of the Gettysburg Address

[LincolnMan]

From: The Gettysburg Gospel" by Gabor Boritt comes a this thought that I don't think anyone on this thread touched on:

"Shaded into the background is the other face of the speech, even more important to Americans in 1863-or at any time of great threat-the appeal to the use of force to defend democracy. Americans recognize fully that meaning of the Gettysburg Address when crises come. The understanding can be misused, but it can also give great strength. Lincoln gave a speech with a universal message, but its nationalist face cannot be ignored. And whatever sins may have been committed around the globe in the name of nationalism during the last two centuries, few doubt the justice of a democratic nationalism that means self-preservation. At times that requires force. Lincoln made that clear at Gettysburg." pp. 202-203.