cations have been disregarded, and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If 5 we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate these inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us. IO They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be is stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely 20 on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom, hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of 25 liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles 30 for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable, and let it come! I repeat, sir, let it come! 5 It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry Peace, peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here 10 idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! 1. The following outline sets forth the major topics of the speech. Find the paragraphs each includes. What did Henry say on each point? I. Introduction 1. The speaker is willing to face facts II. Body I. The past acts of the British ministry are not favorable to present hope 2. The present assembly of British armies and navies means subjugation for the colonists 3. The colonists cannot meet this force with petitions, for a. Petitions have been tried and are useless 4. The colonists can meet the British only with force of arms, for a. It is the only means left, and b. The colonists have the strength to fight III. Conclusion 1. Therefore, let us make ready for battle. 15 ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO MRS. BIXBY Executive Mansion, Washington. November 21, 1864. Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts. Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War 5 Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so over10 whelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the 15 solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. ΙΟ Yours very sincerely and respectfully, 1. Undoubtedly the most difficult kind of letter to write is the letter of sympathy, expressing sorrow for loss by death. Why? Lincoln's little letter to Mrs. Bixby has long been considered a classic of its kind. It is sincere, sympathetic, and helpful. What makes it so? 2. How did Lincoln come to write this letter? What does the fact that he wrote it show about the man? What was his object in writing it? Do you think he succeeded? What consolation did he offer the mother? THE FLOWER OF LIBERTY BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES WHAT flower is this that greets the morn, Its hues from heaven so freshly born? Oh, tell us what its name may be, In savage nature's far abode Its tender seed our fathers sowed; The storm winds rocked its swelling bud, Its opening leaves were streaked with blood, Then hail the banner of the free, Behold its streaming rays unite One mingling flood of braided light, With spotless white from Northern snows, The sister stars of Liberty! Then hail the banner of the free, The starry Flower of Liberty! [5 20 ΙΟ 15 The blades of heroes fence it round, Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower, In blackening frost or crimson dew, — Thrice-holy Flower of Liberty! Then hail the banner of the free, 1. What is "The Flower of Liberty?" Does Holmes gain anything by calling it a flower? Substitute its real name and read the poem through thus, to test your answer. 2. Interpret the following passages: "hues from heaven"; "burning star"; "flaming band"; lines 9-14, page 348; lines 19-20, page 348; "blades of heroes"; "empire on the sea"; "thrice-holy." 3. What other poems on the flag have you read? Which do you like best? How does this one compare in quality with the others? 4. Bring to class another poem by Holmes and read an interesting extract from it. |