Beginning with the now - iconic phrase "Four score and seven years ago '' -- referring to the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776 -- Lincoln examined the founding principles of the United States as stated in the Declaration of Independence. In the context of the Civil War, Lincoln also memorialized the sacrifices of those who gave their lives at Gettysburg and extolled virtues for the listeners (and the nation) to ensure the survival of America 's representative democracy: that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ''
who wrote four score and seven years ago
Lincoln Lincoln