Abraham Lincoln on Flag of the United States
← Back to Abraham Lincoln ProfileSpeaking to an Ohio regiment near the end of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's impassioned plea for unity urged unwavering loyalty to the Union cause and its symbol.
“[S]tand fast to the Union and the old flag.”
- Abraham Lincoln, L)
“It is worthy of note that while in this the Government's hour of trial large numbers of those in the Army and Navy who have been favored with the offices have resigned and proved false to the hand which had pampered them, not one common soldier or common sailor is known to have deserted his flag.”
- Abraham Lincoln, L)
“I am invited and called before you to participate in raising above Independence Hall the flag of our country, with an additional star upon it. I propose to say that when that flag was originally raised here it had but thirteen stars... under the blessing of God, each additional star added to that flag has given additional prosperity and happiness to this country until it has advanced to its present condition; and its welfare in the future, as well as in the past, is in your hands... I think we may promise ourselves that not only the new star placed upon that flag shall be permitted to remain there to our permanent prosperity for years to come, but additional ones shall from time to time be placed there.”
- Abraham Lincoln, L)