No episode in the annals of mankind has ever produced more atten-
tion and more interest than has this War between the States which
formed the United States of America. The libraries of the world are
stocked with volume upon volume of histories, biographies, memoirs,
treatises and just about every type of work that men write, print and
bind to call a book. It was the kind of circumstance in the human
struggle that evokes interest. It had both drama and historic signif-
icance. It involved the most terrible of all human conflicts—fratricide,
the killing of brother by brother. Inevitably such a conflict breeds
hatred and bitterness and leaves behind it wounds that are long in
healing. Some of the scars are visible even today, after the passage
of 100 years. But happily most of the rancor and hostility has vanished
and Americans today find themselves living harmoniously, united as
never they were before 1861-1865.

The great significance of the Civil War, as I sec it, is that it brought
into being the vision of Lincoln as expressed on the battlefield of Gettys-
burg when he dedicated a military cemetery there in November, 1863.
It was the vision that this nation, under God, should have a new
birth of freedom, and that "government of the people, by the people, for
the people, shall not perish from the earth. "

The tragedy of fratricide Maryland experienced probably with more

intensity than any other part of the nation In an era of indecision

a large segment of our population favored secession. Our State song,
we know, was inspired by a strong pro-southern sentiment, and the
"patriotic gore" it speaks of is the blood that was spilled in Baltimore
when the citizens of that city attacked a Massachusetts regiment which
was on its way to defend our nation's capital.

In the end, as we know, Maryland remained in the Union, but
communities, and even families, were sharply divided on the issue.
Literally brother fought against brother at Antietam, at Gettys-
burg and in other battles of that war. But time has erased these
hostilities, and the spirit of unity has supplanted any feeling our

405