-
we cannot consecrate
-
we cannot
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-
hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here,
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will
little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what
they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished
work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from
these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they
gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new
birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth.