AGRICULTURE AND WAR. 41 



If we fail to maintain this government, where shall we find 

 another? If we do not fail, we may behold the temple erected 

 by our fathers made more beautiful by the storm which has 

 burst upon it. I think we shall then know what a free republic 

 is. I think we shall then have learned to respect each other's 

 rights. I think we shall have confirmed the work of self-govern- 

 ment here. If this storm has burst upon us to clear the American 

 sky of the clouds of disregard for the Union, forgetfulness of 

 its blessings, and a desire for unconstitutional remedies for 

 evils real or imaginary, which have been too long gathering 

 from every corner of the heavens, those of us who survive it 

 will have reason to thank God for the severity of the discipline. 

 May we, then, as a people, rise to the magnitude of the contest, 

 and bear ourselves with courage, and wisdom, and patience, 

 and endurance, and liberality, until the cause of the republic 

 shall prevail, and the glory of our nation shall be restored. 

 And when God in his mercy shall have established peace within 

 our gates and joy within our palaces, may the sentiment 

 of loyalty which to-day exists everywhere, in spite of all trial 

 and all oppression, break forth in triumph, for the commence- 

 ment of a new and more glorious career of freedom on this 

 continent. 



