Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.
in the first paragraph, lincoln uses the word now to
a) show the contrast between his second inaugural address and his first inaugural address.
b) indicate that he is ready to accept his second term as president of the united states.
c) gain the attention of those in the audience.
d) explain his reason for giving the address.

Explanation:

the brevity of his speech

why war is necessary

why the war still engrosses our attention

why the past shouldn’t be the focus of his seep

to shift the tone of the speech from balanced to righteous

to make Lincoln’s personal feelings known

to move the speech from introduction to main purpose  *

to create anger in the listeners

to create a visual image for listeners to focus on

contrast the motives of the North to the motives of the South

encourage the populace that this war has not been waged in vain

appraise the war situation as it stands in 1864

provide a logical appeal for continuing the Civil War

Lincoln’s explanation for such a brief address can best be summarized.

you know if a word is hiatus if there is a break somewhere in the word