Question

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." What is the purpose of this passage from President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address?
a. to argue that the impact of the war has not yet matched the impact of slavery
b. to show that God will judge everyone who participates in the war
c. to explain that the war will last two hundred fifty years
d. to illustrate that the war has already lasted three thousand years

Answer 1

It illustrates that the war has alaready lasted three thousand years and yet it is not at an end. Only God will be able to judge those who drew a sword upon another.

Answer 2

b. to show that God will judge everyone who participates in the war.

President Lincoln had developed stronger feelings towards God because his son had died and at the same time he was facing a never -ending war.