This powerful statement defines democracy as a system where the populace holds ultimate authority, actively participates in governance, and benefits directly from its operation. It underscores the enduring ideal of self-governance and its vital importance for the future of humanity.
Quote by Abraham Lincoln: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.
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Historical Context
Delivered during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln used the address to redefine the purpose of the Union's fight, linking it to the foundational principles of liberty and equality for all, not just preserving the Union.
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American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.
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