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 thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honoured 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; that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of Freedom; and that Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the earth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN _November 19, 1863._ _The following famous stories about Lincoln are in “Good Stories for Great Holidays”: A Solomon Come to Judgment; The Colonel of the Zouaves; Courage of his Convictions; George Pickett’s Friend; He Rescues the Birds; His Springfield Farewell Address; Lincoln and the Little Girl; Lincoln the Lawyer; Mr. Lincoln and the Bible; A Stranger at Five-Points; Training for the Presidency; Why Lincoln was called “Honest Abe”; The Widow and her Three Sons; The Young Sentinel._ FEBRUARY 22 GEORGE WASHINGTON THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY _Where may the wearied eye repose, When gazing on the Great; Where neither guilty glory glows, Nor despicable state? Yes--one--the first--the last--the best-- The Cincinnatus of the West, Whom Envy dared not hate, Bequeathed the name of Washington, To make man blush there was but one!_ LORD BYRON LINCOLN ON WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY _This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of Washington. We are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the mightiest name of earth--long since mightiest in the cause of Civil Liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it._ _In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendour, leave it shining on._ ABRAHAM LINCOLN, _February 22, 1849_ WASHINGTON was born, February 22, 1732 Was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, 1775 Was made President of the Federal Convention for Framing the Constitution, and signed the Constitution, 1787 Was inaugurated, first President of the United States, 1789 Issued his “Farewell Address,” 1796 He died at Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799 THE BOY IN THE VALLEY