Yet her delayed remarks Wednesday morning offer one possible reason she waited. This was not just a concession speech, even if it had the gracious calls to her supporters to give Trump "an open mind and a chance to lead." It was also an inspiring message aimed directly at young people, particularly young women and young girls, who Clinton seemed to feel a responsibility to address in the wake of her historic campaign -- and ultimate loss.

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"To the young people, in particular, I hope you will hear this," Clinton said, pausing for emphasis. "I've spent my entire adult life fighting for what I believe in. I've had successes and I've had setbacks -- sometimes really painful ones.

"Many of you are at the beginning of your professional, public and political careers. You will have successes and setbacks, too. This loss hurts. But please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it," she said, to cheers and applause. "It is. It is worth it."

Hillary Clinton’s campaign comes to an end share Share View Photos View Photos Next Image MANHATTAN, NY - The morning after loosing to Republican Nominee Donald Trump in the general Presidential election, Democratic Nominee for President of the United States former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, accompanied by former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Senator Tim Kaine and Anne Holton, speaks to supporters and campaign staff in a packed ballroom at The New Yorker Hotel in midtown Manhattan, New York on Wednesday November 9, 2016. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Certainly, anyone could have watched a video later online of the speech had it been delivered in the middle of the night, on that vast stage, under that still intact glass ceiling. Yet the importance of the message, and who it was aimed at in particular, allowed for the composure and restraint that was required at such a pivotal and historic moment, even in her loss. And delaying it allowed its message to break through in ways that might have gotten lost in the early morning hours.

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"To all the women, and especially the young women who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion," Clinton said, appearing to come close to choking up. "Now I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling but someday someone will and hopefully sooner than we think right now."

Then, in an emotional message given the context of the campaign, she addressed their younger sisters and daughters: "To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams."

If done well, presidential concession speeches, in their humility and their grace, offer more examples of leadership than many offered in victory. The ability to put aside one's own emotions, to model graciousness in losing and to focus on the greater good -- a peaceful transition of power -- is something we see rarely in our leaders. At the end of this "consequential election," as Clinton called it, the more prepared she was to deliver it, and the more people -- and particularly young women and girls -- who saw it, the better.

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