Let us strive to finish the work we are 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 a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. What does the phrase bind up the nation's wounds mean?

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Clover

1 September, 19:48

Let us strive to finish the work we are 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 a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. What does the phrase bind up the nation's wounds mean?

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Jaqueline Bailey · Answer 1

This passage comes form Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. In this speech, Lincoln is referencing the Civil War that was close to being over, and which caused a lot of difficulties and suffering to the people of the United States. In the speech, Lincoln encourages everyone to try to forget about the divisions created during the war and instead fight for a feeling of unity. By "binding up the nation's wounds," Lincoln wants to indicate that the best way to act is by not holding any anger or resentment towards people on the other side of the conflict.