" It is the true democracy
which batters down the walls that separate us from each other -
the walls of caste distinction, and color prejudice, and national
hatred, and religious contempt, all the petty, anti-social meannesses
that quarrel with
"The Union of hearts, the Union of hands,
And the flag of our Union forever."
Old Glory has floated victoriously on many a gallant fight by sea
and land, but never do its silver stars glitter more bravely or its
blood-red stripes curve more proudly on the fawning breeze than when
it floats above the school-house, over the daily battle against
ignorance and prejudice (which is ignorance of our fellows), for
freedom and for equal rights. It is no mere pretty sentimentality
that puts the flag there, but the serious recognition of the bed-rock
principle of our Union: That we are all of one blood, one bounden
duty; that all these anti-social prejudices are just as shameful as
illiteracy, and that they must disappear as soon as ever we shall
come to know each other well. Knowledge is power. That is true.
And it is also true: A house divided against itself cannot stand.
"The Flag of our Union forever!" is our prayer, our heart's desire
for us and for our children after us. Heroes have died to give us
that, heroes that with glazing eyes beheld the tattered ensign and
spent their latest breath to cheer it as it passed on to triumph.
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