Question regarding Gettysburg Address

[gettysburgaddress]

Does anyone know which words Lincoln stressed in the phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people" in the Gettysburg Address? Was it on the "of, by, for" or on the word "people"? Are there any eyewitness accounts that mention this? Thanks for any info.

 

[lupaglupa]

Welcome from the Researching Your Civil War Ancestry forum! My instinct is to say, of course he stressed "of, by, and for" because that seems like the most natural pattern for speech. But I'd be fascinated to know if eyewitnesses discussed this.

 

[rpkennedy]

Welcome from the Researching Your Civil War Ancestry forum! My instinct is to say, of course he stressed "of, by, and for" because that seems like the most natural pattern for speech. But I'd be fascinated to know if eyewitnesses discussed this.

Interestingly, Sam Waterston emphasized "people" when he did a recording of the speech. It gave the speech an odd, but effective, cadence.

Ryan

 

[LondonLincoln]

Wish you hadn't posted that question ....because now I'm desperate to know the answer

 

[huskerblitz]

I don't think anyone really knows. But I think this was brought in a book I listened to not that long ago. I can't remember the title but it was a series of essays about the address and I think it was brought up a couple of times in the essays.

 

[Claude Bauer]

Does anyone know which words Lincoln stressed in the phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people" in the Gettysburg Address? Was it on the "of, by, for" or on the word "people"? Are there any eyewitness accounts that mention this? Thanks for any info.

Go to this thread on the forum for a recording made in 1938 by an eyewitness to the speech:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/audio-recording-of-eyewitness-of-gettysburg-address.135526/#post-1564570

He seems to put emphasis on "of, by, and for" which is probably as close as we're going to get, considering he actually heard it. However, he acknowledges that many years had passed since he heard it and then recited it for this recording.

It's an interesting question though, but from what I've read about Lincoln and the speech, I believe he would have emphasized those words--it's one of the most powerful parts of the speech. Those three simple words convey the unique structure and promise of a democratic republic; that it exists for the people is understood.

Whenever I've heard it recited by a Lincoln interpreter at a Dedication Day ceremony in Gettysburg, that seems to be the case as well. If anyone can point to some research specifically on that topic, I'd very much like to see it.

 

[huskerblitz]

I am pretty sure this is the book I got free for being a teacher and listened to it.

https://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-A...s-Greatest/dp/0190227451&tag=civilwartalkc-20

I'm not a huge fan of the book...they go so far outside the arena of the speech that they add meaning to it that I do not think belongs. But to each their own.

 

[gettysburgaddress]

Wow. Thanks for all the knowledgeable answers! I guess the concensus is that the stress was on "of, by, for" which does sound better to my ear.

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

You raise an interesting question for which there is likely no definitive answer. Interestingly, we cannot even be certain of exactly what Lincoln said, let alone which words were emphasized. There were 4 different news reporters taking down the speech verbatim, or at least attempting to do so. No two of them are precisely the same. The reporter for the Associated Press, Joseph Gilbert, was allowed to look at Lincoln's delivery copy, and thus, some consider his report to be the most "authentic". The really unfortunate thing is that many believe that the delivery copy has not survived. I say it is unfortunate, because it may have answered your question. Lincoln at times was known to underline on his delivery copy certain words that he intended to emphasize.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. One fantastic piece of oration.

 

[captaindrew]

Interesting question, welcome to the forum @gettysburgaddress

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

In my head both words are stressed, of the people, by the people, for the people. It was an awfully short speech, those words terribly impactful and more so connected through emphasis.

Having said that, goodness, you'd have to give the edge to an eyewitness. Can you imagine?