Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln’s address transcends pronouncements of victory. Recognizing the nation’s deep divisions, Lincoln prioritizes the need for National Unity and Reconciliation as the cornerstone of a lasting peace. Through his use of inclusive language, appeals to a shared future, and a focus on collective action, Lincoln crafts a message of healing and hope for a fractured nation.

One strategy Lincoln employs to foster unity is the use of inclusive language that transcends the victor/vanquished mentality. He avoids triumphalist rhetoric, stating that “[b]oth read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other” (Paragraph 3). The focus on shared beliefs and practices—the Bible and prayer—creates a sense of common ground despite the war’s bitter divisions. Lincoln reinforces this inclusivity with the pronoun “each,” acknowledging the humanity on both sides of the conflict. This strategy encourages a sense of shared responsibility for the war’s devastation and paves the way for a collective effort toward healing.

Lincoln states at the beginning of his speech that both sides “dreaded [war]—all sought to avert it” (Paragraph 2). This statement reflects a universal truth acknowledged by both sides of the Civil War: the shared desire to avoid the calamity that ultimately befell the nation. This acknowledgment serves not only as a reminder of the shared humanity between the opposing factions but also as a call to remember the pre-war unity that existed—a unity that Lincoln suggests can be rekindled and restored. The president’s call for reconciliation is not just about bridging the current divide, but also about returning to a shared understanding and mutual respect that predated the war’s outbreak. Lincoln’s observation that both sides did not expect the war’s “magnitude or the duration” (Paragraph 3) implies a shared misunderstanding that bridges sectional divides. By drawing attention to these shared misjudgments, Lincoln advocates for a collective approach to healing, hinting at the possibility of rebuilding a unified nation from the shared lessons of the war’s unforeseen challenges and outcomes.

Lincoln focuses on healing the wounds of a nation torn apart by civil war. The phrase “with malice toward none, with charity for all” (Paragraph 4) represents Lincoln’s vision of reconciliation, emphasizing the need for a compassionate approach to healing the nation’s divides. Lincoln uses the metaphor “to bind up the nation’s wounds” (Paragraph 4) to provide a vivid imagery of the healing process. This metaphor not only conveys the physical act of healing but also symbolizes the meticulous care and patience required to mend the rifts within American society. Lincoln extends this call to action with the phrase “to care for him who shall have borne the battle” (Paragraph 3), encompassing not just physical wounds but also the emotional and psychological scars borne by veterans. This suggests a long and arduous healing process, but one that is necessary for the nation’s survival. The focus on a shared future built on compassion and justice lays the groundwork for reconciliation. Through this imagery, Lincoln extends an invitation to all Americans to participate in the joint task of nation-building, giving the audience the shared responsibility in creating a climate of forgiveness and unity.