NEW ENGLAND TOUR SPEECH, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

June 27,1877

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Graduates of Harvard University:

This is your day. I may not; I ought not to take up any particle of this valuable time. You will, therefore, excuse me, I am sure, if I take my seat after saying, in the briefest way to form the words, what I feel in my heart. I assure you that I have a very grateful appreciation of this hearty greeting. I know—I know how little it is deserved. God grant that during the remainder of the term I may be able to do something to deserve it.”