Do we still follow the Gettysburg Address today?
As others have mentioned, the Gettysburg Address was nothing more than a speech. It in no way became a law or had any governing power. It did, however, become a rallying creed and a lasting example of the cause against slavery and for the preservation of the Union. Lincoln, with that speech, invoked many of the ideals set forth in the Constitution. Yet, the liberties he touched upon were not exactly in practice, what with the whole slavery thing. While the Founding Fathers did believe “all men are created equal,” they could not challenge the institution of slavery if they hoped to unite 13 colonies into on nation when they wrote the Constitution in 1787, as southern states were highly dependent on slavery in order to sustain and grow their economy. Lincoln could finally use these words exactly as they were intended and with the intent to follow through with the actions to uphold them.
