Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “show your faith by your works,” that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Today, President Obama’s conclusion (as written):
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: “Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive … that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
It was a tremendous speech he gave today, and I found this particular section to be especially moving and encouraging.
I also liked the part about not sacrificing our democratic ideals for security and expediency, since that has been happening all too often of late.
May we all live up to our potential in the days and years to come.
For the first time in my life the president is younger than I am.
I was just 47 when that happened to me. Kind of a shock, isn’t it?
Obama is the fifth youngest president. Theodore Roosevelt (42y 10m 18d), John Kennedy (43y, 7m, 22d), Bill Clinton (46y, 5m, 1d), Ulysses Grant (46y 10m, 5d), Barack Obama (47y, 5m, 16d).
Polk, Pierce, Garfield and Cleveland (the first time) were also under 50.