the original letter, but was added by
telegraph.

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.

The standard text of the address does not agree exactly either with the
original written form or with the form in which it was delivered, but
it is a combination of these, made by Lincoln a few days later. In the
contemporary newspaper reports it was variously referred to as an
address, a speech, and remarks.

_Government of the people_. The thought contained in this sentence was
not original with Lincoln, but it has been traced back through several
centuries. It was probably suggested to Lincoln by the following
passage in an address by Theodore Parker, which he is known to have
read: "Democracy is direct self-government over all the people, for all
the people, by all the people."

THE SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

This address is in marked contrast, both in length and character, to
President Lincoln's first official communication. Some of the main
thoughts and two of the Biblical quotations occur in a letter written
May 30, 1864.

_Let us judge not, that we be not judged_. Adapted from Matthew vii. 1.

"_Woe unto the world_." Matthew xviii. 7.

_Fondly do we hope_. The accidental rhyme in this passage is the only
blemish that has been objected to in the address, and it is not serious.

"_The judgments of the Lord_." Psalms xix. 9. The opening words of
the last paragraph are the best expression ever given of the spirit of
Lincoln, who on another occasion said, "I have never willingly planted
a thorn in any man's bosom."

THE LAST SPEECH.

This address, the longest of the presidential period with the exception
of the First Inaugural, was delivered before a great crowd gathered in
front of the White House, four days before Lincoln's assassination.
The evening before, on a similar occasion, he had requested the people
to wait until he could prepare his remarks, adding that he wished to be
careful, as everything he said got into print. The newspaper reports
of the following day state that it was received with great enthusiasm.
The address is of special interest as indicating the attitude of the
President toward the difficult question of Reconstruction.

_The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond_. April 2 and 3
respectively. General Lee surrendered April 9.

_The new constitution of Louisiana_. The constitution was adopted
September 5, 1861.

_The proposed amendment_. The thirteenth amendment, abolishing slav