4 ms·

I've found his Second Inaugural to be his more interesting https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=38&page=transcript https://www.ourdocuments.gov/

• js2 6y ago
  Yes, but it's well known. It's inscribed on the inside wall of the Lincoln Memorial, along with the Gettysburg address. I had never read his first inaugural address before. I'm 48.
  • protomyth 6y ago
    You really need to frame the speech with some understanding of the electoral breakdown of the election. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860_United_States_presidentia...
• jhbadger 6y ago
  Perhaps, but the "malice towards none" part is disappointing. Many people claim that the problem we have today (with the Confederacy still having its supporters today) is a result of Lincoln's assassination stopping his work, but the Second Inaugural suggests that even had he lived he wouldn't have been interested in putting Davis, Lee, etc. on trial for treason.
  • protomyth 6y ago
    No, the "malice towards none" is an appeal to the better angels of humanity. Frankly, if more people lived by that last paragraph of the speech, the world would be a considerably better place. He was looking forward, not back.