Lincoln’s greatest speech – 150 years ago today

His second Inaugural Address – here's an excellent – 15 paragraphs – short essay from The Public Discourse:

Lincoln’s second inaugural address, 150 years old today, is as pertinent as ever. It reminds us that we must resist the poisonous temptation to see those with whom we disagree as bitter enemies even as we vigorously defend the moral truths that ought to guide our public life.

“With malice toward none; with charity for all…” It was a civic gesture as unexpected then as it is needed now.

One hundred and fifty years ago today, Abraham Lincoln stood on the eastern portico of the U.S. Capitol and delivered a few words—703, to be precise—at his Second Inaugural. The speech remains the most celebrated inaugural address in our history. Fredrick Douglass, not always an admirer of Lincoln, called it a “sacred effort.” Lincoln himself acknowledged it was filled with “lots of wisdom” and predicted it would “wear as well as—perhaps even better than—any thing I have produced.” From an otherwise self-deprecating man who had already authored the instantly classic Gettysburg Address, this is no small admission.

Hit the link for the rest of the essay. A great short biography of Lincoln is With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln . I read it 25 plus years ago.