Great American Quotes #2

     The quote I chose for this second Great American Quotes Post is Abraham Lincoln's "My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth." President Abraham Lincoln gave this quote during the course of the American Civil war, where the image America had before was tarnished from the conflict within the United States that was fought mostly for whether a certain group of Americans deserved freedom or not. I believe that President Lincoln is trying to tell his audience of the American people that he has a vision and hope that this country will once again be a beacon of freedom for groups who are escaping the beliefs, rules, or prejudices of their country to seek a safe haven. He believes that the war, which is due significantly to slavery, is tarnishing what America's ideal was. 

     The audience that this message applies to is both the Americans who are fighting this war, especially the union who wishes to be whole again and also give slaves freedom. It is also addressing outside observers of the war, especially people who hoped to travel to America for a better life seeing that is is tearing itself apart for issues revolving around freedom. I can personally see levels of both Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos. Lincoln establishes credibility on the issues of America far better than anyone else could because of his position as president of the United States, so the Ethos is integrated from the context and speaker itself. Kairos is evident through how the quote is specifically said during the civil war, a time where tensions are high and Americans are divided. President Lincoln uses Pathos in this quote by inciting the audience to feel patriotism and hope towards the country by the way he words his vision as a passion and mindset for the country. I do agree with what Lincoln is trying to convey with his message. I believe it also rings true to modern day because our country is divided over a variety of different things, especially when it comes to political matters. His quote also serves as a vision for today, where we hope people outside of our country can see us as something to look up to in finding a good place to live freely.