But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. According to Lincoln, what is his purpose in giving the speech?

to ask citizens to enlist in the military
to convince voters why he should be reelected
to remember those who lost their lives in the battle
to call for the Confederate states to surrender

These words indicate the great respect Lincoln had for those who gave up their lives to fight for a noble cause.

Explanation:

Lincoln is saying that the ground cannot be declared holy, because: The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

     "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

Lincoln means that the extreme sacrifice the men who had fought and died on that battlefield have made was in itself a greater act than any other could now, or ever, perform in ordaining the soil on which they died. Their deed was more than enough for the ground to be consecrated. The blood that was spilt there blessed the soil. It would, he suggests, be presumptuous of him or any other to believe that they could do those who gave their lives greater honor by declaring the ground hallowed.

its   c   : ) 0_  

it is the background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story. the exposition will often have information about events that happened before the story began. the exposition is often the very first part of the plot.