“ In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth. ”
Abraham Lincoln, State of the Union Address (1 December 1862). copy citation
| Author | Abraham Lincoln |
|---|---|
| Source | State of the Union Address |
| Topic | hope freedom slavery |
| Date | 1 December 1862 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5024/5024-h/5024-h.htm |
Context
“We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just—a way which if followed the world will forever applaud and God must forever bless.
*** State of the Union Address” source
*** State of the Union Address” source
Meaning and analysis
