Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

The following story comes from a young Gettysburg resident named Charles McCurdy. On the night of November 18, 1863, (the day before Lincoln's Gettysburg Address) Secretary of State William Seward stepped outside from the Harper home where he was staying. He found himself in a crowd. He was recognized, and the crowd called for a speech.

Seward said, "Sure, sure, I'll make a speech." He began by saying:

"My very good friends from this grand and glorious state of ________________."

Fill in the blank --> what is the next word that Secretary Seward said?