- that we, the slaveholders of the South, took our country in her infancy, and, after ruling her for sixty out of the seventy ye
ars of her existence, we surrendered her to you without a stain upon her honor, boundless in prosperity, incalculable in her strength, the wonder and admiration of the world. Time will show what you will make of her; but no time can diminish our glory or your responsibility. what is the purpose