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Notes on Abe’s First speech, Abraham Lincoln was a President of the United States of America. He is famous for signing the Emancipation Proclamation which gave freedom to the black people in America., The lesson describes the first public speech that Lincoln made. As a boy , Lincoln worked as a rail splitter, a person who splits logs to make rail fences. Lincoln along with his friend Dennis Hanks attended a political meeting during which a candidate contesting the elections spoke. However the speech was not very good. After the speech, Lincoln addressed the crowd and refuted all the arguments made by the candidate. All the people at the place including the candidate admitted that Lincoln’s speech was better. Lincoln would go on to become a fine orator who also entertained those around him with funny anecdotes. The Gettysburg Address made by Lincoln is one of the best known speeches in American history., Additional Notes, The campaign speaker delivered the speech standing on a tree stump, as was the custom. However Abe stood on a dry goods box to make the speech. This might have helped the people to see him when he made the speech. The stump might have been too short for Abe., Abe’s appearance was very shabby. He did not have new clothes. His dress was tattered and old. Yet it did not affect his confidence. Abe was courageous enough to challenge an orator who was much more experienced than him. This shows that people who are confident about their abilities do not need expensive or fancy clothes to grab the attention of their listeners., Dennis always encouraged Abe. He was more confident about Abe’s abilities than Abe himself. He prompted Abe to make a reply speech after the orator spoke. Dennis made his friend believe that he can deliver a better speech than the one made by the campaigner., Abe was able to achieve greatness because he utilised the opportunities that he got. Some people lack the confidence to use opportunities that they get. Some others do not get opportunities to prove their talent. All people have some sort of potential in them. Many people do not even realise what their potential is. Even those people who try to use their potential are often discouraged by other people. With proper training and encouragement the best in each and every person can be brought out.