The town had been overwhelmed by the necessity of burying the dead, and the state of Pennsylvania had to render assistance. The governor asked Lincoln to make some remarks at the dedication ceremony for the new cemetery, but Lincoln knew he would speak after the oration of Edward Everett.

Born in 1794, Everett was in some ways the most distinguished citizen of the nation. He had graduated from Harvard College in 1811, toured France and Italy, and, over the years, had served as an ambassador, a writer of political prose, and as chaplain to the United States Senate. A speaker of undeniable gifts, Everett was renowned for speaking without notes, and so it was on this occasion.