2021-5 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2021-5 Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg
Address (Adapted)
On November 19, 1863, then President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the shortest but most memorable speeches in American political history. The speech was delivered at the Gettysburg Pennsylvania battlefield and the speech became known as the “Gettysburg Address.” It is now the Fall of a different year and our city is a different place. However, Lincoln’s sentiments as
applied to the battle fought on those hollowed grounds at Gettysburg and his praise for the dedication shown, legacy left, and remembrance to be honored, can easily be applied to the city of Schertz’ historical circumstance. Thus, it is with much respect and humility that the writer asks President Lincoln’s indulgence and permission to paraphrase his great speech as it applies to Schertz city history.
‘Many years ago, our European forefathers brought forth to this territory new communities with names such as New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Comal, and Cibolo Pit. These communities were conceived in liberty, and their inhabitants dedicated to the proposition that all men should live their lives in harmony as neighbors and prosper through self-sacrifice, mutual sharing, and
honest labor.’ ‘Now, we are engaged in a commemoration of their spirit and accomplishments, knowing that this community, and all others, can not long endure should they ignore history’s repetitive lessons offered by those who preceded us here. We meet at this place where others before us
defended themselves against hostile Indians, tended fields of corn and cotton, buried loved one’s long before they’d aged, and unashamedly praised their creator as the source of all good fortune. It is all together fitting and proper that we should do this.’ ‘But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this territory.
The brave men and women who struggled before us to tame the territory have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or subtract.’ ‘The community will little nor long remember what we have written here. It is for us rather, to be dedicated to continuing the unfinished business that our forefathers began here.’
‘Let us resolve that the sacrifices of those who came before us will not have been given in vain. Rather, let us always acknowledge that we are a community of one people, blessed to have had strong and resourceful ancestors devoted to good government of the people, for the people, and by the people.’