Year: 1863

too apt in oil ages and countries to mark the pro-
gress of civil war. Still it is dire calamity. |
want words to express the sorrow with which
from the first have contemplated, and unceas-
ingly contemplate, the necessity laid upon us to
wage this war for the integrity of the nation.
Few persons. think, have entertained visions
more glowing of the amount of blessings stored
up for the latest posterity in the perpetual un-
Ion of the states. l had seen them already ex-
panded from sixteen states and 4 600 900 inhabi-
tats, which were the numbers at the time of my
birth, to family of thirty-four states and pop
ulation augmented eight fold; and reason and i'm
agination were alike tasked to find a limit to the
natural growth of the country. But numbers
and space are but the relation of material things
/ saw eXemplifed in this western world-long
hidden and late revealed-the idea Of form of
government as nearly perfect as our frail nature
admits prodigal of blessings to the millions now
on the stage and promising a share in the same
rich inheritance to the millions on millions that
should follow us. | grew up beneath the
shadow of our beautiful flag, and often when see-
ing it floating on distant seas my heart has melt
ed at the thought of the beloved and happy land
whose union was emblazoned on its streaming
folds. On q hundred festive and patriotic occa-
sions my voice has dwelt-would it had been
more worthy--on the grateful theme. and my
prayer to heaven has been that it might be hush
ed in death rather than it should be compelled to
abandon that joyous strain. Not without deep
soicitude saw the angry clouds gathering in the
horizon North and South, and devoted the de-
clining years of my life, with kind of religious
conservation, to the attempt to freshen the sacred
memories that cluster round that dear and vene-
rated name which need not repeat memories
which had survived the multiplying causes of al
ienation and were so well calculated to strengthen
the cause of union. To these humble efforts and
the time and labor expended upon them-truly q
labor of love-I would, as Heaven is my witness,
hnxra ,c,,1lx Inl naf
by so doing could have averted the catastrophe,
For that cause, should have thought few care
worn and weary years cheaply laid on the alt +
of my country


But it could not be. Anghteous Providence in
its wisdom has laid upon us the performance of
this great and solemn duty. 1t is now plain to
the dullest perception that the hour of trial could
not be much longer delayed. The leaders OF the
rebellion tell us themselves that they had plotted
1t for an entire generation. 1t might have been
postponed for four or for eight years and if, by
base compliance, we could have turned the blow
from ourselves, it would have fallen with redoub-
led violence on our Children. Let US then meet
it like men,. 1t must needs be that offences shall
come, but woe unto that man by whom the offense
cometh. Let us show ourselves equal to the du-
ty imposed upon us, and faithful to the trust
which we are called. The cause in which we are
engaged is the cause of the Constitution and the
law, of civilization and freedom, of man and OF
UOd. Let us engage III ~ WIN astedulhesS anu
fortitutde, q courage and q zeal, patience and q
resolution. hope and q cheer, worthy of the
fathers from whom we are descended, of the coun-
try we defend, and of the privileges we inherit.
There is duty, work for all for man and for
woman, for old and young, for the stout hearted
and strong handed for all who enjoy and all
who deserve to enjoy the priceless blessings at
stake. Let the venerable forms of the Pilgrim
Fathers the majestic images Of our revolution
ary sires, and of the sages that gave US this glo
rious Union let the ANXIOUS expectation of the
friends of liberty abroad awakened at last to the
true cause and the great issues of this contest /;
let the hadships and perls Of our brethren in the
field. and the fresh-made graves of the dear ones
who have fallen let every memory of the past
and every hope of the future every thought and
every feeling, that can nerve the arm, or fire the
heart, or elevate and purify the soul of patri-
OF, rouse, and guide, and cheer, and inspire us,
to do, and If need be to die, for our country.