may it wave over a nation neither enslaved nor
enslaving. [Great applause.]

"Once, and but once, has treason dishonored it. In that
insane hour, when the guiltiest and bloodiest rebellion of
time hurled their fires upon this fort, you, sir, [turning
to General Anderson,] and a small, heroic band, stood within
these now crumbled walls, and did gallant and just battle
for the honor and defense of the nation's banner.
[Applause.]...

"To-day you are returned again. We devoutly join with you in
thanksgiving to Almighty God, that he has spared your
honored life, and vouchsafed you the honors of this day. The
heavens over you are the same; the same shores; morning
comes, and evening, as they did. All else, how changed! What
grim batteries crowd the burdened shores! What scenes have
filled this air, and disturbed these waters! These shattered
heaps of shapeless stone are all that is left of Fort
Sumter. Desolation broods in yonder sad city--solemn
retribution hath avenged our dishonored banner! You have
come back with honor, who departed hence, four years ago,
leaving the air sultry with fanaticism. The surging crowds
that rolled up their frenzied shouts, as the flag came down,
are dead, or scattered, or silent; and their habitations are
desolate. Ruin sits in the cradle of treason. Rebellion has
perished. But there flies the same flag that was insulted.
[Great and prolonged applause.] With starry eyes it looks
all over this bay for that banner that supplanted it, and
sees it not. [Applause.] You that then, for the day, were
humbled, are here again, to triumph once and forever.
[Applause.] In the storm of that assault this glorious
ensign was often struck; but, memorable fact, not one of its
_stars_ was torn out by shot or shell. [Applause.] It was a
prophecy. It said, 'Not one State shall be struck from this
nation by treason!' The fulfillment is at hand. Lifted to
the air, to-day, it proclaims, after four years of war, 'Not
a State is blotted out!' [Applause.] Hail to the flag of our
fathers, and our flag! Glory to the banner that has gone
through four years black with tempests of war, to pilot the
nation back to peace without dismemberment! And glory be to
God, who, above all hosts and banners, hath ordained
victory, and