Lincolns Legacy is Your Legacy

A legacy is something that is passed down from a predecessor. Lincoln's legacy is
the teachings that he had wanted all of us, as American citizens, to live by. In the
Gettysburg Address, Lincoln explained what our responsibilities as American
citizens are. His concepts tie all off U.S. history together and aid the prosperity of
our country.
In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln stated that all men are created equal.
He was restating the beliefs of Thomas Jefferson when Jefferson wrote the
Declaration of Independence. Lincoln was trying to explain to us that unity plays
a major role in our lives. Just as Jefferson stated many years previously, we must
treat all men as our brothers in order to keep the American society united.
Lincoln also stated that a great civil war is something that is very difficult
for a nation to endure. The Constitution states that we must create and maintain a
more perfect union. That is impossible when we are fighting against ourselves.
Lincoln said that "A house divided against itself can not stand." This is what
James Madison, "the father of the constitution," meant in the constitution. We
must compromise to solve our disagreements and keep our country together.
The idea that many men had died for our country and that we should not
forget them was strongly emphasized in he Gettysburg Address. In the Bill of
Rights it is conveyed that no person should be deprived of their basic rights.
These men that died in order that we could all be sovereign, and that nobody could
own anyone else, were deprived of everything when their lives were taken. It is
our responsibility to never forget what they have so bravely done for us.
Lincoln's legacy has taught us to treat others fairly, to stay united , and to
show respect where respect is deserved. We, as American citizens, must follow
these teachings. If looked at closely, many people, in many documents, have been
clearly been telling us what we can do to create the ideal society.