\"kings are usually made to speak in the magniloquent language supposed to be suited to their elevated position. on the present occasion, lincoln acted the clown.\". write an essay of at least two to three paragraphs analyzing this newspaper remark from the richmond examiner. use specific quotations from the gettysburg address to support or refute the newspaper’s claim. i'm not asking you to write an essay for me but i don't understand what it means by \"lincoln acted the clown\". that makes no sense to me at all \"acted the role\" would have made more sense.

The writer form the "Richmond Examiner" states that "Kings are usually made to speak in the magniloquent language supposed to be suited to their elevated position. On the present occasion, Lincoln acted the clown." Firstly this means that people that were in a high social or political standing such as Lincoln were supposed to speak as such giving long speeches using large complex words and grammar. However, Lincoln spoke in common language so that everyone could understand and gave a short speech stating the importance and gravity of the situation. "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that 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." Lincoln took very little time to address something highly important and tragic instead of drawing it out he got straight to his point and it was better than any long fancy speech anyone could have written. This resulting in the statement that "On the present occasion, Lincoln acted the clown." 

Secondly the "Richmond Examiner" writer said "On the present occasion, Lincoln acted the clown." The writer meaning that Lincoln made a fool of himself because of his speech. The speech was simple and easy to comprehend not at all like speeches of others in equivalent standings.  Lincoln made sure that anyone could understand what he was saying not just the highly educated, this war involved everyone therefore everyone deserved to hear this speech. Lincoln stated "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 battlefield of that warIt is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced." Lincoln made a fool of himself in some peoples eyes so that everyone would know that even though this war has brought great misery we can get through it together as a nation. For that I would have to disagree that "Lincoln acted the clown" in my opinion he was anything but.