God Bless The Union; - It Is

I Should Be Glad If I Could Flatter Myself That I Came As Near The Central Idea Of The Occasion, In Two Hours, As You Did In Two Minutes.

I Feel, As Never Before, How Justly, From The Dawn Of History To The Present Time, Men Have Paid The Homage Of Their Gratitude And Admiration To The Memory Of Those Who Nobly Sacrifice Their Lives, That Their Fellow-men May Live In Safety And In Honor.

We Have Now In Our Possession Three Instruments Of Civilization, Unknown To Antiquity. These Are The Art Of Printing; Free Representative Government; And, Lastly, A Pure And Spiritual Religion, The Deep Fountain Of Generous Enthusiasm, The Mighty Spring Of Bold And Lofty Designs, The Great Sanctuary Of Moral Power.

This Glorious Union Shall Not Perish! Precious Legacy Of Our Fathers, It Shall Go Down Honored And Cherished To Our Children. Generations Unborn Shall Enjoy Its Privileges As We Have Done; And If We Leave Them Poor In All Besides, We Will Transmit To Them The Boundless Wealth Of Its Blessings!

And What I Should Do, By The Grace Of God, I Will Do.