Ethos In The Gettysburg Address

The sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln, in his speech, The Gettysburg Address, describes the devotion that came from the war in Gettysburg, brings the nation together and giving hope and faith to the people encouraging for a better future that is to come. Lincoln’s purpose is to honor and admire all the soldiers who lost their lives fighting in the American civil war. He adopts an optimistic tone in order to appeal to nation’s emotions, of the many lost lives during the war and bringing light to the audience. President Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War meaning that he has the knowledge of the war making him qualified person to be giving the speech. Likewise, being elected during that time, being the

Lincoln initiates his speech by alluding to other great writings in American history that show that America has and will be a great nation even if they struggle at times. Though still in shock, he is able to find connections to America’s past to comfort it’s citizens now. Using text from the Declaration of Independence, he states that the United States of America was “...dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” At the end of his speech, Lincoln alludes to the Pledge of Allegiance by stating that we should feel pride in “…this nation, under God…”. In this time of

President Lincoln gave a speech on his vision and the state of the country, when his audience was expecting something completely different. Since the Civil war was fought mostly because of slavery and politics, that’s what the people expected to hear about. Lincoln claims that each side had their reasons and each side tried to avoid war. However, war still occurred and everyone was waiting for it to end. The authors claims that the people want the war over so the nation can heal.

The Gettysburg Address was intended to be an argument to persuade. Abraham Lincoln was inspiring his troops because morale was low after the Battle of Gettysburg. They need motivation to keep fighting. Lincoln used logos by explaining that because people gave their lives defending what they believed in, the living should finish the job the dead started. By talking about the fellow soldiers who died at Gettysburg, Lincoln appeals to the pathos of his listeners.

President Monroe began by thanking the people for putting their trust in him, saying that he was anxious but ready to face the difficulty of his duties, just as his predecessors did before him. He then talked about the flourishment of the United States even in the face of difficulty, the superiority of the Government and it’s reflection of the people’s desires and the protection of their rights, and the many blessing present in the country, such as rivers and fertile soil. Monroe chalked the success of the United States up to the people, saying that if the country remained in the state it was in, it would be safe. President Monroe expressed his belief that the promotion of intelligence among the people was the best way to preserve the country.

This influences his motivation to move on (move on like in the war). They must move on because they cannot forfeit or give up and put those who lost their lives in vein. Also, the first sentences of the second paragraph talks about the engagement of a civil etc. and so this is partially why Lincoln delivered it. Also as said before he delivered this because after walking around and seeing all those who died, it was only right of him to say some words.

Gettysburg was the battlefield that had the largest number of casualties in which Lincoln wanted to dedicate as a “final resting place” to all the fallen soldiers. In his speech, Lincoln explained why the Civil War was necessary and that the country was made so that all men were created equal. This, however, is not how the country was being governed and it must change. Lincoln expressed that the soldiers should be given great honor for all they have fought. He continues to say that the real dedication is to the people who still remain.

However, he also wished that it end peacefully. He wished that once the fighting had ceased and the war was declared over, that the North and South care for each other as they do their own people. But, a peace would be very difficult to achieve due to how long this war had been going on and how many lives were lost in this conflict. By this quote from the final lines of the Second Inaugural Address by Lincoln, “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gave us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations,” Lincoln showed his true emotion and feelings about the war. He wanted nothing but peace.

The three texts, “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury, Soldier’s Heart Gary Paulsen and Civil War Journal by Louisa May Alcott share the common theme of the importance of an individual’s contribution during the Civil War. Judy from “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh,” contributes because he motivates the army through his work as a drummer boy. Charley from Soldier’s Heart helps by giving up his family to go fight in the war. By helping wounded soldiers, Louisa May Alcott contributes greatly to the Civil War. Therefore, it was important to contribute because it demonstrated pride for whatever side you were on.

Colin Kaepernick, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49’ers, decided to take a knee during the National Anthem to protest the oppression inequalities of African American minorities. He is fighting a long battle of what he believes is right, although he has to make big sacrifices and might possibly lose his job. Thus, being an American means being free and to be able to exercise our rights and speak up for what we believe

He uses ethos when he speaks, “To the families of the fallen, the nation shares in your grief.” By saying this, he lets the families know that the whole nation is right beside you. Obama further employs ethos when he states, “they’ve now passed it onto us.” These victims died and now the country has to continue their work. We have to continue to overcome the racial barriers and prejudices.

In the eyes of the patriotic citizens, this was a great achievement in need of commemorative celebrations. According to Linenthal, “commemorative celebrations began shortly after the battle” (270). Linenthal shared how these celebrations consisted of thousands of people going to the battlefield, the playing of Custer’s battle song “Garry Owen,” reenacting the battle, and speeches by both Indians and military personnel (270). The celebrations mainly appealed to white citizens that believed Custer was fighting for the good of the nation. As Linenthal stated, a monument was built at the battlefield, and the site was named the Custer Battlefield National Monument as a way to display “public faith” to the accomplishments of General Custer (267).

Veterans Day is a day specifically dedicated to honor our heroes. In modern society, Veterans are respected for their valiant work in the military. Because of these brave Americans, people can live with a peace of mind. They have sacrificed so much and with nothing in return. A great act of patriotism is to support our veterans and their families because they have already given much for the

My responsibility as an American Register for selective service Registering for selective service is not only the law but it’s our duty as an American to help defend and protect our country when the time is at hand and our country needs our. When our country is in distress and needs all the men that they can get that’s where the selective service part comes in and gets all they can get. The responsibilities of American citizens includes Registering for selective service, voting in elections and supporting the troops.

If his face was printed on a postage stamp, that stamp would not only represent General Brown, but also all the gallantry and sacrifice military personnel go through to make our nation safe and strong. As a military child, I have seen firsthand the hardship of far-away deployments and the physical and mental strength these soldiers have. General Brown represents that and more. For a service member to gain all the accolades he has, they must be dedicated. As a commander of the Special Operations Forces, he had improved the way they fought.