A Presidential Peroration

MONDAY—

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: It is desired by this office that the attached draft of the first sections of the President’s pending peroration be scrutinized by the White House Communications Agency, and that suggestions for revisions be dutifully returned to this office without delay.

It is approximated that some eighty-seven years in the past a new nation was conceived in a milieu that some may choose to allude to as Liberty.  It is further assumed that this new nation chose to regard all male citizens as equal.

It is felt that we are presently embarked upon a great war that shall test this nation to the point that many feel the union might prove tenuous to the point of sundering.

It is believed to be altogether fitting and proper that we shall have come together here this day, in order that this great battlefield may be consecrated to the memory of those who may have fallen in battle.

WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY: Rest assured, this agency will respond with all due vigor and alacrity.

WHCOS: It is preferred that no one outside of those authorized by your office shall be privy to the contents of this draft.

WHCA: Understood.  No unauthorized person shall see the draft.

TUESDAY—

WHCOS: It is requested that the suggested revisions to the first draft of the President’s address by returned to this office forthwith.  It is the President’s wish to be afforded the opportunity to add to his preliminary statement.

WHCA: The suggested revision is appended below.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

WEDNESDAY—

WHCOS: It is the wish of this office to convey the appreciation of the President to the White House Communications Agency for the revisions to the first draft of the remarks intended to be delivered by the President tomorrow, November 19^th in the year of our Lord eighteen-hundred-and-sixty-three.  It would be appreciated if the same attention may be paid to the appended draft of the final paragraph to be delivered by the President.

It is to be considered that none of those who may have perished here shall have died for no apparent purpose.  It is further hoped that it might prove to be God’s will that freedom shall be born anew, and that the earth shall not witness the possible disappearance of responsible government on the part of the people who may devoutly aspire to it.

WHCA: You shall have the revision before close of day.

THURSDAY—

WHCOS: It is believed that the final revision of the President’s speech has not been received in this office, which it is my duty to remind you was promised.

WHCA: Apologies are extended for the delay.  Please find the final section of the address appended herein.

We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

_{© J. Bradley Burt 2023}