Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis (Essay Example)

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it” (Lincoln). Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America, Lincoln wrote his second inaugural address after being elected for his second term as president. In his speech, he uses the three main rhetorical points to intrigue and persuade his listeners to follow him on his journey to bring America further into peace and prosperity. During his speech, Lincoln influenced the American people through ethos, logos, and pathos, to guarantee the unity of the nation as a whole.

Throughout Lincoln’s presidency, he had done many great things while communicating his credibility. As the president, he took an oath in which he established his general credibility. In his second inaugural address, he is explaining how both sides are somewhat at fault. “If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, In the Providence of God, must need come, but which, having continued through his appointed time, he now wills to remove and that he gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the Believers in the Living God always described him?” (Lincoln). He showed his authority and his knowledge of what he is talking about gives him credibility through his speech. Credibility can often be backed up by logic and facts, which is why logos are an important factor in Lincoln’s speech.

The way Lincoln used logos in his speech connects to the way he demonstrated his ethos. In his address, Abraham Lincoln used facts and in-depth details to back up his statements and let everyone know what is truly happening. His goal was to abolish slavery, and when he was elected for his second term he was determined to make that happen. Throughout his speech, he expresses the issues in the war from both sides and tells everyone the horrendous facts about the slaves. “One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the union, but localized in a southern part of it. These slaves constituted a  picture earlier and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.” (Lincoln). Abraham uses solid facts in hopes to make Americans realize their faults. He wants to help fix the issues at hand and fight in the war if necessary. With this information, Lincoln used logos to back up his statements with facts, to tie his speech together, and to get into the hearts of every American citizen. He then uses the third rhetorical point, pathos.

Pathos is the appeal to emotions through words. Towards the end of his address, Lincoln discusses how through God, things will end up okay. “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work when you're in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -  to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all the nations.” (Lincoln).  He uses words and phrases such as “charity for all”, and “achieve and cherish” to appeal to the emotions of each and every citizen. Which is how pathos is the most important rhetorical point in his address because it ties up the speech with tugging at the heartstrings of Americans.

Through ethos, logos, and pathos, Abraham Lincoln guarantees the unity of the nation as a whole. He uses ethos to establish his credibility and show people he does know what he is talking about. Lincoln also uses logos, to back up his Ethos and give facts and details to let Americans know that he is speaking the truth. His final rhetorical point is through pathos. By using pathos he concludes his speech by appealing to the emotions of every American citizen. Abraham Lincoln was an honorable man, and in his last few years, he believed he could make a difference and abolish slavery completely. While he was shot and killed, his legacy lives on, and he truly did make a positive mark on America. Overall, Lincoln uses the three rhetorical points to bring the nation together as a whole creating unity amongst everyone.