My Friends: No one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I feel
at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have
lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and
here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you
again. A duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that
which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He
never could have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence,
upon which he at all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed
without the same Divine Aid which sustained him; and in the same
Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; and I hope you, my
friends, will all pray that I may receive that Divine Assistance,
without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain.
Again I bid you all an affectionate farewell.