“This, our new Government, is the first, in the history of the
world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral
truth.”
“This stone, which was rejected by the first builders, is
become the chief stone of the corner.”[178]
To this unblushing avowal Abraham Lincoln replied in that marvellous,
undying utterance at Gettysburg,--fit voice for the Republic, greater
far than any victory:
“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth
on this continent a new Nation, _conceived in Liberty, and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal_.”
Thus, in precise conformity with the Declaration, was it announced
that our Republic is dedicated to the Equal Rights of All; and then
the prophet-President, soon to be a martyr, asked his countrymen to
dedicate themselves to the great task remaining, highly resolving
“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.”[179]
The victory of the war is vain without the grander victory through
which the Republic is dedicated to the axiomatic, self-evident truth
declared by our fathers, and reasserted by Abraham Lincoln. With this
mighty truth as a guiding principle, the National Constitution is
elevated, and made more than ever a protection to the citizen.
All this is so plain that it is difficult to argue it. What is the
Republic, if it fails in this loyalty? What is the National Government,
coextensive with the Republic, if fellow-citizens, counted by the
million, can be shut out from equal rights in travel, in recreation, in
education, and in other things, all contributing to human necessities?
Where is that great promise by which “the pursuit of happiness” is
placed, with life and liberty, under the safeguard of axiomatic,
self-evident truth? Where is justice, if this ban of color is not
promptly removed? Where is humanity? Where is reason?