And thus, with equal courage in the darkest hours, he continued on, heeding as little the warnings of danger as the temptations of power.

But when the blow fell, there was nothing but gratitude, and all confessed the singleness with which he sought the public good.

This firmness in the right, as he saw it, was an anchor which held always.

Emancipation, once adopted, was safe against recall or change.

Nobody more clearly exhibited Slavery in its enormity.

His courage to apply truth was not always equal to his clearness in seeing it.

The heights he gained in conscience were not always sustained in conduct.

But he was willing at all times to learn, and not ashamed to change.

If suffrage be accorded to colored persons only in certain cases, then, of course, it can be accorded to whites only in the same cases,--or Equality ceases.

It was his own frank confession that he had not controlled events, but they had controlled him.

Let it not be forgotten that the national triumphs, and even Emancipation itself, sprang from the great heart of the American people.

Good-will to all men was with him a science as well as a sentiment.

His nature was pacific, and throughout the terrible conflict his thoughts were always turned on peace.

While abounding in gratitude to returned officers and men, who had fought the national battle so well, he longed to see the sword in its scabbard, never again to flash against the sky.

His prudence found expression in the saying, “One war at a time”; but his whole nature seemed to say, “Peace always.” And yet it was his fortune to conduct one of the greatest wars in all time.

The pyramids of our country are built by the people more than by any ruler; but the ruler of the people at such a moment cannot be forgotten.

Besides its immediate efficacy in liberating slaves at home, it rises already a landmark of Human Progress.

From the solidarity of Slavery, the fall of this abomination among us must cause its fall everywhere,--so that in Cuba, Porto Rico, Brazil, or wherever else a slave now wears a chain, that Proclamation will be felt.

Proudly will it be recognized always in the destinies of the Republic.

It is to the West that the world now looks for sunrise.

It is much that the Republic has become impregnable, whether against “malice domestic” or “foreign levy”; but it is more that it has become an example to the world.

Our martyred dead is seen also in the company to which he is admitted, among the purest of all time,--martyrs, patriots, philanthropists, servants of truth and duty.

Washington leads the hosts of his own country, from the Pilgrims of the Mayflower to the thronging crowds who have laid down their lives for the Republic.

By the association of a similar death he passes into the same galaxy with Cæsar, William of Orange, and Henry the Fourth of France, all of whom were assassinated,--and his star will not pale by the side of theirs.

Unawed and unseduced, he upheld the liberties of his country, which he conducted wisely, surely, grandly,--anticipating the example of Washington.