Presidential candidate Joe Biden spoke today to a small group at a private campaign event held at the Lodges of Gettysburg on Camp Gettysburg Rd.
Biden cited president Lincoln as he spoke about the battle of Gettysburg and the costs of division.
“Today, again, we are a house divided. That my friend can no longer be,” said Biden.
Saying the nation must revise a spirit of bipartisanship, Biden called for unity. “The country is in a dangerous place,” he said.
“We must seek not to build walls but bridges,” said Biden. “There is no place for hate in America.”
“I do not believe we have to choose between law and order and racial justice in America,” said Biden. “We can have both.”
“We have no need for armed militias roaming American streets,” Biden said.
Biden also spoke about the pandemic saying it was predicted that 400,000 Americans might die of COVID-19 before the end of year. “Wearing a mask is not a political statement,” said Biden. “It’s a scientific recommendation. We can do so much better.”
Saying the Civil War led to a better nation, Biden said “those better angels must prevail again now.”
“I’ll work as hard for those who don’t support me as for those who do,” said Biden. “I’ll be a president that pushes us toward the future.” I will marshall the ingenuity and good will of this nation to turn division into unity. This is our moment.”
Biden’s audience included Adams County Democratic Committee Chair Marcia Wilson and Treasurer Stephanie Roelker, Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually, as well as Democratic commissioners from neighboring counties.
“I was truly impressed with his genuine appeal for unity, said Qually. “After the Civil War Gettysburg became a sacred place representing unity. We won’t always agree, but we must find ways to disagree without hate and without anger.”
A full video of Biden’s remarks is available here.