A Gracious Compliment

Edward Everett (1794-1865) to
Abraham Lincoln
Holograph letter,
[November 20, 1863]
Manuscript Division (5.5)
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923

Edward Everett was quick to grasp what Lincoln accomplished at Gettysburg. As soon as Everett returned to Washington, he complimented the president on the "eloquent simplicity & appropriateness" of his remarks, adding in open humility: "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes." Unfortunately, Lincoln had heard only the polite applause commonly awarded men of his station, whatever the occasion, which stands in marked contrast to the crescendo of praise that sounded across the nation after the American people had time to read and reflect on the Address.

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