![]() The president used only 272 words in his dedication of the cemetery grounds, with most American newspapers taking little notice of the now famous speech. ![]() Everett spoke to the crowd of 15,000 without notes for over two hours. That oration was delivered by Edward Everett, a Massachusetts statesman, vice-presidential candidate of the Constitutional Union Party in 1860, and the most famous orator of his day. ![]() But contrary to popular belief, Lincoln did not give the keynote address. ![]() "It is the desire that, after the Oration, you, as Chief Executive of the Nation, formally set apart these grounds to their Sacred use by a few appropriate remarks." So read the invitation to Abraham Lincoln to speak at the dedication of a national cemetery on the site of a pivotal Union victory at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. ![]()
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