What Has Happened to Everybody's Vocabulary and Diction?

It seems to me, that nowadays our vocabulary and the way we write and speak and the words we use are very...simplistic. I guess that's the best way to say it. Especially compared to letters written in history.

For example, how many people do you know would be able to write like this?

quote:

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Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,--

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

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Made Famous in SPR.

Just seems like people had a more extensive and colorful vocabulary back around those times than today.