But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground. the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. why does lincoln say he and the audience cannot consecrate the ground? select all that apply. question 2 options: he is saying the ground cannot be consecrated because confederate soldiers died there. he is saying the ground has already been consecrated by the soldiers who fought at gettysburg. he is saying that his main purpose is not to dedicate the ground to the dead at gettysburg. he is saying the ground cannot be consecrated because confederate soldiers died there. he is saying the ground has already been consecrated by the soldiers who fought at gettysburg. he is saying that his main purpose is not to dedicate the ground to the dead at gettysburg.