REFLECTION – AT 8:35 P.M. ET:  Andrew Malcolm, of the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog, reminds us that November 19th is an important anniversary.  He also reminds us what a great speech really is:

Few people are aware that possibly the greatest speech in American political history was an afterthought.

The big attraction for the dedication of the newest federal cemetery in Pennsylvania on Nov. 19, 1863, was Edward Everett, a famous orator of the day. Shortly before the dedication someone thought to invite the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. He arrived the day before.

Contrary to popular myth, Lincoln did not jot down his remarks on an envelope. He had....

... written a draft on Executive Mansion stationery in Washington, perhaps in the Lincoln Bedroom, where the original now resides. Lincoln fiddled with the last two paragraphs the night before in pencil...

...Given the dearth of video games in those days, public speeches were a major entertainment. And no loudspeakers either. As the main event, Everett spoke for two solid hours.

Lincoln, as the afterthought, spoke for only a few minutes (see top photo center right in top hat). Lincoln was said to have not thought much of his remarks.

He gave two autographed copies to his secretaries. And later penned three more for charity auctions.

On this anniversary of the Gettysburg Address seven score and seven years ago Lincoln had less than 17 months to live.

Andrew Malcolm makes the point that, in 2009, Barack Obama gave a speech on Afghanistan that contained 4,582 words, and that not one of them is "victory."

Go to the link.  You'll see a facsimile of the original address and a modern recording of Lincoln's words.

November 19, 2010