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United States, have not only entitled him to the nation's gratitude, but 

 also secured for liis name the enduring respect and veneration of man- 

 kind. In the second position they hope to seethe statue of Andrew 

 Jackson, distinguished among the illustrious heroes that appeared in 



the War of 1S12, not less distinguished as the Chief Magistrate of this 

 Nation, and in both relations evincing a devotion to the unity, integ- 

 rity and prosperity of his country, alike unquestioned and unquestion- 

 able. It remains for the generous prompting's of public feeling to give 

 reality to these ideas and hopes of the Park Commissioners. 



In respect to the third position, the events of this day and the ceremo- 

 nies of this occasion, tell their own story. Soon after the assassination 

 of Abraham Lincoln, the popular heart glowed witli an irrepressible 

 desire to do honor to the memory of the lamented dead. Called to the 

 Pi'esidency amid circumstances of the greatest difficulty ; confronted in 

 the very outset of his career with the embarrassments, complications, 

 and perils of an incipient civil war ; contending, during the whole of 

 his term of service, with one of the most formidable rebellions known in 

 the history of nations ; in these exigencies of peculiar trial conducting 

 the Government with a discretion, perseverance, firmness, and patriotic 

 devotion that proved him to be the man of the hour ; re-elected for a 

 second tenn by a grateful and appreciating people; living till the vic- 

 tories of the army and navy had brought the country to the verge of 

 peace, and then falling too soon for the nation's good, Abraham Lin- 

 coln has wrought for himself a name, and gained a place in the affec- 

 tions of the American people more lasting than any memorial which it 

 is in the power of art to devise. 



As one significant evidence of this fact, I point to that noble statue 

 which has just been unveiled to the public, which you have now pre- 

 sented to the Park Commissioners as Brooklyn's tribute of gratitude 

 to the honored dead, and which in their name I now have tin 1 pleasure 

 to accept, pledging to you, and also to the citizens of Brooklyn, that 

 they will endeavor to be faithful custodians of the sacred trust. Here 

 let this monument stand, with the other two to which reference has 

 been made, and which it is hoped will soon be erected, suggesting to 

 the thousands who may hereafter seek the recreations of this Park, that 

 nobleness of character, trueness of heart, and eminent service for the 

 public good, an' alike the best qualities of the citizen, and the surest 

 guarantees for the permanent respect of the nation. 



