It has become one of the most endearing inauguration addresses of any President. At the time, seven states had already left the Union. Possibly eight other states could join them. As is the case with any memorable speech, the closing was especially stirring.
I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely, they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
This was not Lincoln’s original ending. The original ending was one that was sure to enrage those states that had left the Union or were considering it. When Lincoln sought advice from others, William Seward, Lincoln’s soon-to-be Secretary of State, proposed a more toned-down ending. Seward recommended Lincoln appeal to citizens and not those who viewed succession as a states’ rights issue.
Seward and Lincoln had once been rivals. Seward was more qualified than Lincoln to be President. When Lincoln was elected, he invited Seward to join his administration. Seward’s suggestion for Lincoln’s closing paragraph came early in their work together. In effect, it was a validation of a mutual appeal to their better angels.
Unfortunately, the inauguration address was unsuccessful. We don’t know the exact number of deaths in the Civil War. It is estimated that the number of deaths in the Civil War falls within the range of 620,000-750,000. There were also civilian deaths. An appeal to the better angels of our nature was unsuccessful.
Why don’t we resolve conflicts with an appeal to our better angels? There are several reasons.
- The conflict has risen to a level where egos are engaged. Trying to reach an agreement can be thought of as a sign of weakness by those in leadership positions.
- The conflict is one where there can be no reconciliation of values.
- The conflict is a distraction from more serious issues and is used to avoid addressing those issues.
Lincoln’s appeal to the better angels of our nature is as relevant today, if not more so, than it was on March 4, 1861. It’s relevant at the national level when a great divide threatens our democracy. It’s relevant in the business world where disputes often turn into silly “I win, you lose” battles. It’s relevant throughout our society when we seem to lose touch with lessons of our faith. Grievance, blaming others, and “not us” attitudes are not based on our better angels.
Almost every day, we have an opportunity to appeal to the better angels of our nature. Why don’t we? That’s a question that each of us has to answer for ourselves.
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“When facing a problem, we can often make adversaries of those who could help us solve it. Allowing the better angels of our nature to come out is beneficial.”–Jazmin Juieta