Read the following excerpt from Second Inaugural Address and answer the question.

Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

What does Lincoln mean when he says "both parties deprecated war"?
Both parties wanted to end the war as quickly as possible.
Both parties believed that war was necessary to preserve the Union.
Both parties opposed the idea of going to war.
Both parties were willing to compromise to avoid war.

1 answer

When Lincoln says "both parties deprecated war," he means that both parties opposed the idea of going to war. This phrase indicates that despite their differences, both sides did not take the prospect of war lightly and did not desire it as a first option. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Both parties opposed the idea of going to war.