war, testing whether that nation,
or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are
met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave
their lives that the nation might live. It is altogether fitting and
proper that we should do this.

"But, in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we
cannot hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead, who
struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or
detract.

"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it
can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather,
to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here
have so far nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be dedicated to the
great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full
measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain: and that this nation under God shall have a new
birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people and
for the people shall not perish from the earth."

I saw

GENERAL GRANT

at Appomattox on the 9th of April, 1865, I hear again these phrases of the
silent soldier to General Lee:

"I am equally anxious for peace with yourself and the whole North
entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are
well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten
that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds
of millions of property not yet destroyed."

* * * * *

"The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms
against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged,
and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the
men of their commands.

"The surrender of all munitions of war will not embrace the side arms
of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. Each officer and
man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by
the United States authorities so long as they observe their paroles
and the laws in force where they may reside."

Sti