Question

Identify , In lines 17-20, Lincoln says that one party "would make war" while the other "would accept war" To whom was Lincoln referring in each part of this sentence? How does that sentence begin to set the tone or attitude that Lincoln takes throughout the speech?

Answer 1

The party that "would make war" is the Confederacy. The party that "would accept war" is the Union. The tone of Lincoln's second inaugural address is subdued and weary. He states that the war has gone longer than it should. In this sentence he assigns both parties a responsibility for the war that has divided the nation.