C. He believes that the mother should feel happy that her sons died fighting for their country is your answer.
Note that he says: "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage... your bereavement, and leave only cherished memory of the... lost. Lincoln is biased in thinking that:
1) They had happy memories together.
"... solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."
2) The bias hear is the belief that they supported the war and volunteerily joined and knew the costs.
"... found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save..."
3) Not all soldiers fought for the Republic. While overall, it was for the preservation of the Republic, most soldiers did not go to the war with that mindset. Some wanted adventure. Others wanted to explore the U.S. Still others were forced. In the end, most soldiers on both sides did not "fight for preservation" of the Union.
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