adapted from On Democratic Government
by Abraham Lincoln
It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its existence in great emergencies. On this point, the present rebellion brought our government to a severe test, and a presidential election occurring in regular course during the rebellion, added not a little to the strain.
If the loyal people united were put to the utmost of their strength by the rebellion, must they not fail when divided and partially paralyzed by a political war among themselves? But the election was a necessity. We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us. The strife of the election is but human nature practically applied to the facts of the case. What has occurred in this case must ever recur in similar cases. Human nature will not change. In any future great national trial, compared with the men of this, we will have as weak and as strong, as silly and as wise, as bad and as good. Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this as philosophy to learn wisdom from, and none of them as wrongs to be revenged.
But the election, along with its incidental and undesirable strife, has done good, too. It has demonstrated that a people's government can sustain a national election in the midst of a great civil war. Until now, it has not been known to the world that this was a possibility. It shows, also, how sound and strong we still are. It shows that even among the candidates of the same party, he who is most devoted to the Union and most opposed to treason can receive most of the people's votes. It shows, also, to the extent yet known, that we have more men now than we had when the war began. Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, and patriotic men are better than gold.
4
How does Lincoln develop the idea that the country had answered the question of whether a government could maintain its existence in crisis without becoming tyrannical?
A.
by assuring his audience that the election was peaceful because he was the candidate
B.
by summarizing how he successfully won the election on the platform of freedom
C.
by reminding his audience that national elections must be held every four years
D.
by highlighting the marvel of a free election being held in a time of significant crisis
1 answer
D. by highlighting the marvel of a free election being held in a time of significant crisis
In his speech, Lincoln emphasizes that the ability to hold a national election during a civil war demonstrates the resilience and strength of a government that remains committed to the principles of democracy, even in the face of adversity. This highlights the idea that a government can indeed maintain its existence in crisis without becoming tyrannical.
