USA HISTORY

Read Lincoln’s statement from “The Gettysburg Address."But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.In this excerpt, Lincoln uses brevity to create a dramatic impact

(A) by saying that the people do not have the power to make the land sacred.

(B) by saying that it is up to the people to consecrate the land for the soldiers.

(C) by discussing how the land should be considered sacred and holy.

(D) ** by repeating how people cannot make the land as sacred as the soldiers have.

Concept note-1: -To consecrate means to declare something holy and hallow is its synonym. Lincoln is saying that the ground cannot be declared holy, because: The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

Concept note-2: -According to Lincoln, why are they unable to “dedicate, ” “consecrate, ” or “hallow” the battlefield? Because they can’t honor it as much as the soldiers declared it sacred. The ground already was dedicated and hallow by those who took part in the battle especially those who died.

Concept note-3: -The main message of the Gettysburg Address is that ideals are worth dying for and that it is up to the living to carry on the work of those who died to protect ideals. The ideals of equality and freedom are the bedrock of the United States as a nation.