shall ordain peace! [Applause.]

"Our nation, under one government, without slavery, has been
ordained, and shall stand. There can be peace on no other
basis. Reverently, piously, in hopeful patriotism, we spread
this banner on the sky, as of old the bow was planted on the
cloud; and, with solemn fervor, beseech God to look upon it,
and make it the memorial of an everlasting covenant and
decree, that never again on this fair land shall a deluge of
blood prevail. [Applause.]...

"From this pulpit of broken stone we speak forth our earnest
greeting to all our land.

"We offer to the President of these United States our solemn
congratulations that God has sustained his life and health
under the unparalleled burdens and sufferings of four bloody
years, and permitted him to behold this auspicious
consummation of that national unity for which he has waited
with so much patience and fortitude, and for which he has
labored with such disinterested wisdom. [Applause.]

"To the members of the government associated with him in the
administration of perilous affairs in critical times; to the
Senators and Representatives of the United States, who have
eagerly fashioned the instruments by which the popular will
might express and enforce itself, we tender our grateful
thanks. [Applause.]

"To the officers and men of the Army and Navy, who have so
faithfully, skillfully, and gloriously upheld their
country's authority, by suffering, labor, and sublime
courage, we offer here a tribute beyond the compass of
words. [Great applause.]

"Upon these true and faithful citizens, men and women, who
have borne up with unflinching hope in the darkest hour, and
covered the land with the labors of love and charity, we
invoke the divinest blessing of Him whom they have so truly
imitated. [Applause.]

"But, chiefly, to Thee, God of our fathers, we render
thanksgiving and praise for that wondrous Providence that
has brought forth from such a harvest of war, the seed of so
much liberty and peace. We invoke peace upon the North.
Peace be to the West. Peace be upon the South.

"In the name of God we lift up our banner, and dedicate it
to Peace, Union and Liberty, now and forever." [Great
applause.]

At the conclusion of the address, the aud