William Seward: “Let it be remembered, that it has ever been the pride and the boast of America, that the rights for which she contended…”

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record to their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.

You have maintained through times of trial and danger the inheritance of freedom, of union, of independence bequeathed you by your forefathers.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all--she is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

It should be your care therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children, and exalt their courage, to accelerate and animate their industry and activity, to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice…